Don Sandburg, last surviving member of original ‘Bozo’s Circus’ cast, dies at 87
Amid all of the hijinks on screen, Don Sandburg, who played Sandy the Clown, also produced and wrote classic skits seen on “Bozo’s Circus.”
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Autilia Di Nunzio dies; left Italy to create new life in U.S. for her family
When Autilia Di Nunzio waited at Rose Records to meet opera singers Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill, “It was like meeting Elvis,” her daughter said.
Architect Peter Roesch dies, was among last living students of Mies van der Rohe
Peter Roesch “was one of the important links between the Bauhaus of Mies and contemporary Chicago architecture,” fellow architect John Ronan said
Leon Lederman, Nobel Prize-winning physicist who led Fermilab, has died at 96
Leon Lederman changed “how physicists regard the value of public outreach and education,” said the University of Chicago’s Edward W. (Rocky) Kolb.
John H. Bryan Jr., renowned Chicago philanthropist, longtime Sara Lee CEO, dies
“The Bean” would have been smaller if not for John H. Bryan Jr., says Anish Kapoor, who created the iconic Millennium Park sculpture.
Chicago attorney David Schippers, a key figure in Bill Clinton impeachment, dies
Dave Schippers, chief House Judiciary counsel in the President Bill Clinton impeachment, died of pancreatic cancer Friday at 88 at home in Grayslake.
Arnieta Kurtz, Brookfield Zoo volunteer who had a giraffe named for her, dies
Arnieta Kurtz volunteered for so long at Brookfield Zoo that they named a baby giraffe for her. She died last month at 73.
Othon Guasso, dead at 107, started a new life as a tailor in Chicago in his 60s
Othon Guasso “had the perfect American dream,” said his son Jorge. “He worked when he needed to work and just to keep himself busy.”
Bernard Brommel, dead at 88, Northeastern Illinois prof funded 25 scholarships
After retiring, Bernard Brommel became Northeastern Illinois University’s second-biggest donor, ultimately giving more than $2.5 million.
Gus G. Boznos, a founder of Par-King, dubbed Taj Mahal of mini-golf, dies at 92
One patron said Gus Boznos’ Par-King mini-golf was where “I can see Lady Liberty, Mount Rushmore and a weird psychedelic pumpkin all before curfew.”
Laverne Burnett, a link to early days of Harold’s Chicken chain, has died at 83
Laverne Burnett owned the most Harold’s Chicken shacks. “He’s been in business longer and has more stores,” said CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod.
Beatrice “Buddy” Cummings Mayer, philanthropist and art collector, dies at 97
Buddy Mayer and her husband Robert “collected boldly, learning from dealers, but trusting their instincts,” said their family art curator Marla Hand.
Bud Gillespie, exec who took idyllic teenage road trip with Kurt Vonnegut, dies
Bud Gillespie’s teenage journey with friends Kurt Vonnegut and George Jeffrey “was pretty formative for Vonnegut,” biographer Ginger Strand says.
Lydia Heston, photographer, actor, NU alum, wife of Charlton Heston, dead at 95
Lydia Heston “traveled by camel, by elephant, by biplane,” said her son Fraser. “She was the Indiana Jones of our family.”
Lorraine H. Morton dies; Evanston’s first black mayor and longest-serving mayor
Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton “had an incredible ability to bring people together, and we all loved her,” said her successor, Elizabeth Tisdahl.
