My list of 21 notable deaths in 2011.

Notable Deaths

Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters, 92. The man who fought in several major battles in World War II and whose quiet leadership was chronicled in the book and television miniseries "Band of Brothers." Jan. 2.

David Nelson, 74. He starred on his parents' popular American television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Jan. 11. Colon cancer.  I watched "Ozzie and Harriet" as a young boy back in the 1950's.  

Ed Mauser, 94. The oldest living member of a 101st Airborne Division company that became known as the "Band of Brothers" and fought some of the fiercest battles of World War II but kept his Army service secret even from his family. Jan. 21. Pancreatic cancer.

Duke Snider, 84. Baseball Hall of Famer for the "Boys of Summer" who helped the Dodgers bring their only World Series crown to Brooklyn. Feb. 27.  Another early childhood hero for this Dodger’s fan.

Jane Russell, 89. The voluptuous actress who starred in the controversial film "The Outlaw" and favorite  pin-up girl of our  GIs'  during World War II. Feb. 28.

Elizabeth Taylor, 79. The violet-eyed American film goddess whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life set her apart from so many other Hollywood hopefuls. March 23.

Geraldine Ferraro, 75. A relatively obscure Democratic congresswoman who became the first woman on a major U.S. party ticket when she ran for vice president in 1984 and emboldened American women to seek office. March 26. Complications from blood cancer.  She was the first woman to run for V.P. with Walter Mondale  --  a great lady.  

Grete Waitz, 57. The Norwegian runner who won nine New York marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. April 19. Cancer.

Harmon Killebrew, 74. The baseball slugger for the Minnesota Twins and for many years the face of the team. May 17. Esophageal cancer.  An early sports hero of mine.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage, 58. A larger-than-life personality from professional wrestling's 1980s heyday known for his raspy voice and brash style. May 20. Car crash.

Jack Kevorkian, 83. Defiant proponent of doctor-assisted suicide who said he oversaw the deaths of 130 gravely ill people. June 3.

James Arness, 88. Television’s  Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke." June 3.  The series last for 22 years and was the longest of its type,  in televised history.  I believe I watch every show,  more than once.  

Peter Falk,  famous for his role in “Columbo,” died on June 23 at age 83 of complications relating to dementia.

John Stott, 90. A minister who led a resurgence of evangelism in Britain and went on to become one of the most influential evangelical thinkers of the 20th century. July 27.   He founded the inner city All Soul’s Church

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and one of the most innovative intellectuals of the modern era.  (died Oct.5, at age 56 of a cancer he could have defeated if he had begun the process earlier)

Dorothy Rodham, 92. Mother of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton's mother-in-law. Nov. 1. 

Andy Rooney,  cantankerous CBS “60 Minutes” commentator.  He hated anyone who was slightly “right wing” or “evangelical.  (Nov 5)

Joe Frazier, 67. One of the great heavyweight boxers of his era. His three bouts with  Mohammad Ali, winning the first and losing the next two, will forever be a part of the folklore of boxing’s history,  including the "Thrilla in Manila." Nov. 7.

Harry Morgan, 96. An actor best known for playing the fatherly Col. Sherman Potter on the TV show "M-A-S-H." Dec. 7.

Christopher Hitchens, 62. (Dec. 15).   An author, essayist and polemicist but most notably, an aggressive atheist who campaigned openly against religion and,  especially, Christianity.

Kim Jong Il , Moammar Gadhafi, and Osama bin Laden died during the year.  No dates are given, here;  a demonstration of the deeply felt disrespect I have for each man.  Each should have been tortured before experiencing deaths similar to the type of deaths they inflicted on others.