by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Aug 2, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
E.L. Doctorow was a best-selling author whose stories often showed how past experiences influence present behavior and how people fail to learn from their mistakes or the mistakes of others. On July 21, 2015, he died of lung cancer at age 84, after a lifetime of heavy...
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Jul 26, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
Rachel Carson was an environmental scientist and writer who alerted the world to the health dangers of pesticides and fertilizers. Her best-selling book, Silent Spring, led to formation of a presidential commission that recommended banning DDT, and to creation of the...
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Jun 28, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
On June 15, 2015, 83-year-old Blaze Starr, probably the most famous burlesque stripper in North America, died of heart failure. She was famous because she: • had a 38DD bra size, a 24 inch waist and flaming red hair • was the prime tourist attraction of “The...
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Jun 21, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
If you were a heart surgeon, would you operate on this patient? • He is 97 years old • He will certainly die in the next few days if you do not operate • He invented the surgical procedure that he now needs, more than 40 years ago • He did research that has saved...
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Jun 14, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
Al Oerter won the gold medal in the discus throw in four consecutive Olympics over a span of 16 years. Each time he: • was not the favorite to win, • was beaten by another American in the Olympic trials, • beat the world-record holder and broke the Olympic record for...
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin | Jun 7, 2015 | Deaths of Famous People
On May 31, Secretary of State John Kerry fell while cycling in France and broke his right femur (upper leg bone). He was riding slowly on level ground and struck a curb with the front wheel of his bicycle. His long history of competing in sports means that he probably...
