#RIP #OTD in 1621 poet, playwright (Antonius), one of the first Englishwomen to gain notice for her writing and her literary patronage, Mary Sidney died of smallpox at her townhouse in Aldersgate Street in London, aged 59. Salisbury Cathedral, England
On this day in 1849, Austrian Romantic composer, conductor and one of the kings of the waltz, Johann Strauss died from scarlet fever in Vienna at the age of 45. Born Johann Baptist Strauss on 14 March 1804 in Vienna. He was the father of Johann Strauss II, Joseph Strauss and Eduard Strauss. Together, they formed a dynasty that dominated Vienna’s light music scene for almost a hundred years. His most recognized composition is probably the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz), while his most famous waltz is probably the Lorelei Rheinklänge op. 154. Strauss married Maria Anna Streim (1825-1844 divorce). He had six children with his mistress Emilie Trampusch.
The Final Footprint – Strauss was initially interred at Döblinger cemetery in Vienna beside his friend Joseph Lanner. In 1904, both of their remains were disinterred and reinterred in the graves of honour at Zentralfriedhof in Vienna. Strauss’s grave is marked with a large black triangular granite monument with a circular carved relief of his profile in marble. His sons Johann and Joseph are interred nearby. The Zentralfriedhof (German for “Central Cemetery”) is one of the largest cemeteries in the world, largest by number of interred in Europe and most famous cemetery among Vienna’s nearly 50 cemeteries. Other notable Final Footprints at Zentralfriedhof include; Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Antonio Salieri, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss II. In addition, a cenotaph was erected there in honour of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
On this day in 1867, cattle rancher and cattle drive pioneer, Oliver Loving died at the age of 54 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico from gangrene. Along with Charles Goodnight, he formed the Goodnight-Loving Trail. The Goodnight Loving Trail began at Fort Belknap (Texas), traveling through central Texas across the Staked Plains to Horsehead Crossing, north along the Pecos River and across Pope’s Crossing, into New Mexico to Fort Sumner. The trail then continued north into Colorado up to Denver and was extended on into Wyoming. In the spring of 1867, Loving and Goodnight returned to Texas, ready to start a new drive. This third drive was slowed by heavy rains and Native American threats. Loving went ahead of the herd for contract bidding, taking only Bill Wilson, a trusted scout, with him. Although he told Goodnight that he would travel at night, Loving became impatient and pushed ahead during the day. Loving and Wilson were attacked by Comanches and Loving was wounded in the arm. The weakened Loving sent Wilson back to the herd, eluded the Native American Indians, and reached Fort Sumner. Loving’s arm was amputated but it was too late. Goodnight arrived in Fort Sumner in time to be by Loving’s side as he died and to assure Loving that his wish to be buried in Texas would be carried out. Born in Hopkins County Kentucky on 4 December 1812. Loving married Susan Doggett Morgan (1833 – 1867 his death).
The Final Footprint – After a temporary burial at Fort Sumner, while Goodnight drove the herd on to Colorado, Goodnight had Loving’s body exhumed and returned to Weatherford where he was reburied in Greenwood Cemetery on 4 March 1868. Loving’s death and burial apparently served as inspiration to novelist Larry McMurtry for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove. In the book, Augustus “Gus” McCrae is injured by Indian arrows and sends his companion Pea Eye Parker to find Woodrow F. Call. McCrae makes it to Miles City, Montana but dies of blood poisoning, despite having one of his legs amputated. Call, like Goodnight, sat by his friend’s side as he died and then brought him back to Texas for burial.
#RIP #OTD in 1970 novelist (All Quiet on the Western Front), husband of Paulette Goddard, Erich Maria Remarque died of heart failure in Locarno, Switzerland aged 72. Ronco Cemetery in Ronco, Ticino, Switzerland
On this day in 1980, musician, songwriter, and drummer for Led Zeppelin, John Bonham died from pulmonary aspiration after consuming an excessive amount of vodka, at the age of 32. Born John Henry Bonham on 31 May 1948 in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast bass drumming, and distinctive sound. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest and most influential rock drummers of all time.
Bonham was married to Pat Phillips
The Final Footprint
Bonham was cremated and his cremated remains interred on 12 October 1980, at Rushock parish church, Worcestershire.
Rather than replace Bonham, Led Zeppelin decided to disband. They said in a press release on 4 December 1980: “We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were.” It was signed “Led Zeppelin”.
#RIP #OTD in 1987 actress (The Maltese Falcon, The Great Lie, Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte) Mary Astor died due to pulmonary emphysema at the Motion Picture House, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles aged 81. Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California
#RIP #OTD in 2000, poet (Song at the Year’s Turning) and Anglican priest who was noted for his Welsh nationalism, R. S. Thomas died at his home in Pentrefelin near Criccieth, Wales aged 87. St. John’s Churchyard, Porthmadog, Wales
#RIP #OTD in 2003 journalist, writer (Paper Lion), actor (Reds, Good Will Hunting), co-founder of The Paris Review, George Plimpton died in his Manhattan apartment from a heart attack aged 76. Cremation
On this day in 2016 U.S. Coast Guard veteran, professional golfer, The King, Arnold Palmer died while awaiting heart surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Shadyside) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the age of 87. Born Arnold Daniel Palmer on September 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In my opionion, one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the sport’s history. Dating back to 1955, he won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and the circuit now known as PGA Tour Champions. He was one of golf’s most popular stars and seen as a trailblazer, the first superstar of the sport’s television age, which began in the 1950s.
Palmer’s social impact on behalf of golf was perhaps unrivaled among fellow professionals; his humble background and plain-spoken popularity helped change the perception of golf from an elite, upper-class pastime to a more populist sport accessible to middle and working classes. Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player were “The Big Three” in golf during the 1960s; they are widely credited with popularizing and commercializing the sport around the world.
In a career spanning more than six decades, he won 62 PGA Tour titles from 1955 to 1973. He won seven major titles in a six-plus-year domination from the 1958 Masters to the 1964 Masters.
Palmer was married to the former Winnie Walzer (1934–1999) for 45 years. She died at age 65 on November 20, 1999, from complications due to ovarian cancer. He married his second wife, Kathleen Gawthrop, in 2005 in Hawaii.
Arnold Palmer statue unveiled at Laurel Valley Golf Course, Ligonier, PA, on September 10, 2009, in honor of Palmer’s 80th birthday. Pictured: Arnold Palmer with sculptor Zenos Frudakis.
The Final Footprint
After his funeral, he was cremated and his cremated remains were scattered in his hometown at Latrobe Country Club.
#RIP #OTD in 2023 actor (Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Great Escape, NCIS), musician, David McCallum died at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital aged 90
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