Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the second week of November 2021.
Scriptwriter Bob Baker died November 3, 2021, at the age of 82.
He co-wrote most of the Wallace and Gromit films, as well as several classic episodes
of “Doctor Who.” Baker is being remembered for creating K9,
"Doctor Who’s” robot dog. Actor William Lucking died October 18, 2021,
at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 80. His death was publicly announced November
2. He was best known for his role on “Sons
of Anarchy,” playing aging biker Piney Winston. Lucking is also being remembered for roles
in “The A-Team,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and many more.
Politician Barbara-Rose Collins died November 4, 2021, at a Detroit hospital. She died of
complications of COVID-19 at the age of 82. She was the first Black woman to represent
Michigan in the United States Congress. Collins is being remembered for introducing
the first bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday; though her 1996 bill didn’t pass,
the day became a federal holiday earlier this year.
Politician Ruth Ann Minner died November 4, 2021, at the age of 86.
She was the first and only woman governor of Delaware, serving from 2001 to 2009.
Minner is being remembered for making Delaware the first state to offer free college tuition
to high school graduates. Singer and songwriter Marilia Mendonça died
November 5, 2021, in Brazil. She died in a small plane crash at the age of 26.
She was a Brazilian superstar who won a Latin Grammy Award for her sertaneja music.
Mendonca is being remembered for her powerful ballads and songs of women’s empowerment.
Musician Astro died November 6, 2021, after a short illness at the age of 64.
He was a founding member of UB40, the pioneering British reggae band.
Born Terence Wilson, Astro is being remembered for his lead vocals on the song “Rat in
Mi Kitchen” and his rap on “Red Red Wine.” Actor Dean Stockwell died November 7, 2021,
at his home. He died of natural causes at the age of 85.
His long acting career started as a child star in the 1940s. Many remember him best
as Admiral Al Calavicci in the time travel TV show “Quantum Leap.”
Stockwell is also being remembered for roles in movies including “Anchors Aweigh,”
“Paris, Texas,” “Married to the Mob,” the original “Dune,” and “Blue Velvet.”
Rabbi Earl A. Grollman died October 15, 2021, at his home in Belmont, Massachusetts. He
died of congestive heart failure at the age of 96.
He was an expert on grief, who counseled survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11
attacks, and he appeared on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. One mourner on Legacy.com remembered
him: “Rabbi Grollman was a wonderful friend to
my parents, Andrew and Cecile Frank, during a difficult time in 1953 following the loss
of an infant son. He was truly a Mensch.” Politician Max Cleland died November 9, 2021,
at his home in Atlanta. He died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.
He was a Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia who served from 1997 to 2003.
He is also being remembered for serving as administrator of Veterans Affairs under President
Jimmy Carter, and he was Georgia’s longtime secretary of state.
Cleland was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He lost both legs and
one arm to a grenade while he served. World leader F.W. de Klerk died November 11,
2021, at his home in Cape Town, South Africa. He died after fighting mesothelioma at the
age of 85. He was the last president of South Africa
under apartheid. He and Nelson Mandela worked together to end the oppressive political system.
De Klerk is being remembered for sharing the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela.
Actor Jerry Douglas died November 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. He died after a brief illness
at the age of 88. He starred on “The Young and the Restless”
for decades as patriarch John Abbott. Douglas is also being remembered for appearing
in the movie “JFK” as well as on TV in “Melrose Place” and “Cold Case.”
Drummer Graeme Edge died November 11, 2021, at the age of 80.
He co-founded the Moody Blues in 1964, and remained with the iconic rock band until his
death. Edge is also being remembered as a poet for
the band, writing spoken word verses that appeared on their albums.
Nine people in their teens and 20s were killed in a crowd crush at the Astroworld Festival
in Houston on Friday, November 5. Their names are:
Axel Acosta Danish Baig
Madison Dubiski John Hilgert
Jacob Jurinek Franco Patino
Rudy Peña Brianna Rodriguez
Bharti Shahani Every week in the United States, flags are
lowered to half-staff to honor the lives of Americans whose communities are mourning their
loss. Here are the most recent half-staff memorial flag honors.
Flags in South Dakota have been lowered to honor the memory of former First Lady Jean
Rounds. Flags in California have been lowered to honor
the memory of Correctional Officer Juan Cruz of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Flags in Wisconsin have been lowered to honor the memory of Navy Hospital Apprentice 1st
Class Keefe R. Connolly, who lost his life in the attack on Pearl Harbor. His remains
were recently identified and will be laid to rest in his hometown.
Flags in Texas have been lowered to honor the memory of Kingsville Senior Patrolman
Sherman Otto Benys. Flags in West Virginia have been lowered to
honor the memory of former West Virginia Speaker of the House Bob Kiss.
Flags in Iowa have been lowered to honor the memory of Nohema Graber, a Fairfield high
school teacher who was killed last week, as well as former Congressman Neal Smith.
Flags in Georgia have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Senator Ross Tolleson.
Flags in Arizona have been lowered to honor the memory of Maricopa County Sheriff’s
Lieutenant Chad Brackman, who died when he was struck by a vehicle.
Flags in Hawaii have been lowered to honor the memory of Republican leader John Carroll.
Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor the memory of Indianapolis Fire Department
firefighter Gerald Brooks. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
One year ago this week, “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer at the
age of 80. Five years ago this week, singer and songwriter
Leonard Cohen died after a fall at the age of 82.
Ten years ago this week, former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier died of liver cancer
at the age of 67. Ten years ago this week, rapper Heavy D died
of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 44. Fifteen years ago this week, actor Jack Palance
died of natural causes at the age of 87. Fifteen years ago this week, singer Gerald
Levert died of an accidental overdose of prescription narcotics at the age of 40.
Singer and songwriter Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary was born 85 years ago this week.
She died in 2009, of complications of a bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia, at
the age of 72. You can read more about the lives of the people
featured in this video on Legacy.com. You can also follow Legacy.com on Facebook
and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to stay up to date on national news deaths and
reactions.