#RIP #OTD in 1966 novelist (Horatio Hornblower series, The African Queen, The Good Shepherd), C. S. Forester died in Fullerton, California aged 66. Loma Vista Memorial Park, Fullerton
On this day in 1987, United States Marine Corp veteran, jazz drummer and bandleader Buddy Rich died of complications from a brain tumor in Los Angeles at the age of 69. Born Bernard Rich on September 30, 1917 in Brooklyn. In my opinion, he is one of the most influential drummers of all time and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. Among others he performed with Louie Armstrong, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra and led a big band.
Rich was married to Marie Allison, a dancer and showgirl on April 24, 1953, until his death in 1987.
The Final Footprint
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Sinatra delivered a eulogy at Rich’s funeral. Other notable final footprints at Westwood include; Ray Bradbury, Sammy Cahn, Truman Capote, James Coburn, Tim Conway, Rodney Dangerfield, Farrah Fawcett, Eva Gabor, Hugh Hefner, Florence Henderson, Brian Keith, Gene Kelly, Don Knotts, Burt Lancaster, Peter Lawford, Peggy Lee, Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Sondra Locke, Robert Loggia, Karl Malden, Dean Martin, Walter Mathau, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Montgomery, Carroll O’Connor, Roy Orbison, Bettie Page, George C. Scott, Dorothy Stratten, Joe Weider, Billy Wilder, Carl Wilson, Natalie Wood, and Frank Zappa.
On this day in 1995, golf professional,
coach, writer, Harvey Penick died in Austin, Texas at the age of 90. Born on 23 October 1904 in Austin. Penick was the golf coach at the University of Texas from 1931 to 1963, coaching the Longhorns to 21 Southwest Conference championships in 33 years, including 20 out of 23 seasons from 1932 to 1954 (1932–38; 1940–47; 1949–52; 1954). He coached the following members of the World Golf Hall of Fame: Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls, and Kathy Whitworth. In 1992, he co-authored (with Bud Shrake) Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book. The book became the highest selling golf book ever published. In my opinion, Penick was perhaps the most gifted instructor of the mental game who ever lived. He said; “once you address the ball, hitting it to the desired target must be the only thing in your life. Allow no negative thoughts, and focus on your goal.“ Penick and Shrake collaborated on four more golf books, the final three published after Penick’s 1995 death. During his final illness, he gave lessons from his deathbed to Crenshaw. Penick was married to Helen Holmes (1928-1995 his death).
The Final Footprint – Penick is interred in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin. His grave is marked by a individual upright granite marker with the term of endearment; BELOVED FRIEND AND TEACHER. Helen was interred next to him upon her passing in 2006 at the age of 101. The day after serving as a pallbearer at Penick’s funeral, Crenshaw began play in the 1995 Masters Tournament. With the memory and spirit of his longtime friend and mentor to guide him, he became the second oldest Masters champion, winning his second Masters at the age of 43. Upon sinking his final putt on the 18th green, Crenshaw doubled over with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands, crying. One of my all-time favorite sporting moments. I watch the Masters on television every year and I was riveted to every moment of that tournament in 1995. In the post-tournament interview, Crenshaw said: “I had a 15th club in my bag.” Other notable final footprints at Austin Memorial Park include; James Michener, Frank Hamer, Bibb Falk, and Noble Doss.
#RIP #OTD in 2012 sculptor and graphic artist known for her depictions of the Black-American experience in the 20th century, which often focused on the female experience, Elizabeth Catlett died in her sleep at her studio home in Cuernavaca on April 2, 2012, aged 96. Cremation
#RIP #OTD in 2018 stage, film (Five Easy Pieces, Play It Again, Sam, Blume in Love, Montenegro, Blue Monkey, Blood Red) and television actress Susan Anspach died from heart failure, aged 75, in her Los Angeles home. Cremation
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