Albert Schweitzer died today – 43 years ago

Musician, philosopher, and physician Albert Schweitzer was born on January 14, 1875 in Kaisersberg, Alsace-Lorraine, France. He said, “An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while the pessimist sees only the red stoplight. The truly wise person is colorblind.” [Just don’t be totally blind.]... Mr. Schweitzer died on September 4, 1965 in Lambaréné, Gabon, Africa.

E.E. Cummings died today – 46 years ago

Author (of The Enormous Room) Edward Estlin Cummings was born on October 14, 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He said, “The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.” [So get out there and do it.]... Mr. Cummings died on September 3, 1962 in North Conway, New Hampshire.

Bob Denver died today – 3 years ago

Actor (on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Gilligan’s Island) Robert Osbourne "Bob" Denver was born on January 9, 1935 in New Rochelle, New York. He said, “Gilligan's Island is wherever you want it to be in your mind.” [So, one could be lost in one’s own neighborhood and still have adventures?]... Mr. Denver died on September 2, 2005 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Troy Donahue died today – 7 years ago

Actor (in A Summer Place and Tin Man) Troy Donahue was born as Merle Johnson, Jr. on January 27, 1936 in New York City, New York. Mr. Donahue died on September 2, 2001 in Santa Monica, California.

Viktor Frankl died today – 11 years ago

Author (of Man’s Search for Meaning) Viktor Emil Frankl was born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna, Austria. He said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” [And often our slavery.]... Mr. Frankl died on September 2, 1997 in Vienna, Austria.

J.R.R. Tolkien died today – 35 years ago

Author (of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State. He said, “Not all who wander are lost.” [So wander around and wonder about here for a while.]... Mr. Tolkien died on September 2, 1973 in Bournemouth, England.

Ethel Waters died today – 31 years ago

Singer and actress (on Beulah) Ethel Waters was born on October 31, 1896 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Ms. Waters died on September 1, 1977 in Chatsworth, California.