Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the final week of August 2021.
Banjo player Bill Emerson died August 21, 2021, of complications of pneumonia, at the
age of 83. He was a founding member of the legendary
bluegrass band the Country Gentlemen. An honoree of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame,
he is considered one of the best banjo players of all time.
Emerson was a U.S. Navy veteran, who played in the first military band dedicated to bluegrass.
Reggae singer and producer Lee “Scratch” Perry died August 29, 2021, at a hospital
in Jamaica, at the age of 85. He was one of the pioneers of reggae, helping
bring the musical style from Jamaica to a worldwide audience.
Perry is also remembered as an innovative producer who helped create dub music and worked
with artists from Bob Marley to Wings to the Beastie Boys.
Actor Ed Asner died August 29, 2021, in Los Angeles, at the age of 91.
He was a star of classic TV, playing cranky newsman Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore
Show” and its spinoff, “Lou Grant.” Later, he played Santa Claus in the movie
“Elf” and was beloved as the voice of Carl Fredricksen in the animated classic,
“Up.” Asner was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in
the Signal Corps during the 1950s.
Drummer Ron Bushy died August 29, 2021, at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. He died after
a battle with esophageal cancer at the age of 79.
He was the drummer for Iron Butterfly, one of the most influential bands in hard rock
and heavy metal. Bushy is being remembered for his iconic drum
solo on the band’s 1968 hit, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”
Humorist Jeanne Robertson died August 21, 2021, at her home in Burlington, North Carolina
at the age of 77. She was known for her funny, folksy stories
of life with her husband and son, whom she nicknamed Left Brain and Beaver.
Robertson is being remembered for her clean, family-friendly comedy.
Olympian Jacques Rogge died August 29, 2021, at the age of 79.
After competing in sailing for his home country of Belgium in three Olympic Games, Rogge became
president of the International Olympic Committee. He is also being remembered for helping
create the Youth Olympic Games, which debuted in 2010.
Clean water activist Vivian Milligan died unexpectedly August 26, 2021, at the age of
70. She led a fight to have a dangerous landfill
in New Jersey cleaned up after nearby residents were diagnosed with leukemia and other health
problems. Milligan is being remembered for her passion
for the issue, which was featured in the HBO documentary “Mann v. Ford.”
Drummer Kenny Malone died August 26, 2021, at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He
died of COVID-19 at the age of 83. He was a popular session drummer in Nashville,
who played on classic songs including Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Dobie Gray’s
“Drift Away.” He is being remembered for playing with superstar
musicians including Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers.
Malone was a U.S. Navy veteran who served for 14 years, playing in the Navy band.
Singer Lee Williams died August 30, 2021, at his home in Pontotoc, Mississippi, at the
age of 75. He was the leader of the gospel group Lee
Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. Williams is being remembered for his powerful
singing voice on gospel hits including “Learning to Lean.”
Singer Ruth Marx died August 24, 2021, at her son’s home in California. She died of
lung cancer at the age of 85. She was a jingle singer whose voice can be
heard in commercials for Chicken of the Sea, Doublemint Gum, and other classic ads.
She was the mother of singer Richard Marx, and she is also being remembered for singing
backing vocals on some of his songs, including the 1991 track “Streets of Pain.”
At least 31 people have died across seven states as a result of Hurricane Ida. This
is a developing story and numbers may change quickly.
The names of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the August 26 terrorist attack at Hamid
Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, have been released. They are:
Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss
Cpl. Hunter Lopez Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum
Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
Cpl. Daegan Page Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak 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 Delaware, Kentucky, and Ohio have been lowered in honor of Overdose Awareness
Day. Flags in Illinois have been lowered to honor
the memory of Lt. Aaron Landers of the University of Illinois Police Department.
Flags in Iowa have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Wesley
J. Brown. Flags in Colorado have been lowered to honor
the memory of former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm.
Flags in New Jersey have been lowered to honor the memory of Assemblyman Nicholas R. Felice
and lifeguard Keith Pinto. Flags in Ohio have been lowered to honor the
memory of Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
One year ago this week, actor Chadwick Boseman died at the age of 43.
Five years ago this week, actor Gene Wilder died at the age of 83.
20 years ago this week, actor Troy Donahue died at the age of 65.
30 years ago this week, filmmaker Frank Capra died at the age of 94.
Actress Peggy Lipton was born 75 years ago this week. She died in 2019 at the age of
72. And musician Billy Preston was born 75 years
ago this week. He died in 2006 at the age of 59.
You can read more about the lives of the people featured in this video on Legacy.com.
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stay up to date on national news deaths and reactions.