http://shanemhale.com/blog » RIP

RIP Don Coryell

Shane Hale — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:53:52 +0000

RIP Don Coryell (1924 - 2010)

Today the Charger family lost one of if not the greatest San Diego Chargers Coach. He was one of the most influential NFL coaches of his time, and although he never brought one a Super Bowl ring, his coaching style and strategies are used by many NFL today.

Don Coryell (October 17, 1924 – July 1, 2010) was a former American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973–1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978-1986. He was well-known for his innovations to football’s passing offense. Coryell’s offense was commonly known as “Air Coryell”. He was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 1986. Coryell was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Wikipedia: Don Coryell

RIP: Michael Crichton (1942-2008)

Shane Hale — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:28:00 +0000

One of my favorite authors, Michael Crichton has passed away today at the age of 66. The science-fiction writer of instant classics lost his fight with cancer this morning. His works generally had a strong influence from scientific studies including technology and medical theories. Oh all the authors of the century, I have completed more of his books then any others and was one of my favorite authors.

I recall the first of his novels I read was Andromeda Strain, in a Microbiology class my sophomore year in high school. I found the selection odd, for a science class, but after ripping through the novel in a matter of days, I understood the connection. I followed that with Jurassic Park (before the movie!), Congo, Sphere, Lost World, and most recently Prey. Of course most of the population probably knows him from the movie adaptations of his novels.

Random though process: Why do I seem to blog about famous deaths? Well I guess today is not an exception.

Links:

Wikipedia: Michael Crichton

NY Times: Arts Beat Article

Maholo: Michael Crichton Dead

RIP: Roy Sceider

Shane Hale — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:24:00 +0000

Unfortunately, Roy Sceider passed away at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital after going through several treatments for multiple myeloma. I knew of his work in the French Connection, Marathon Man and All That Jazz. Most of his successful acting career was in the 70′s, but never found the spot light in the 80′s or 90′s. He seemed to fit the classic caring police officer roles, and found himself on few episodes of Law and Order, and The Third Watch.

He however was iconically known as just portrayal of Police Chief for Amity Island in 1975′s Jaws. I protected the town from a menacing shark, and insisted on needing a bigger boat.

You can read more about his acting career at IMDB or Wikipedia.

RIP: Morley Shoe Tree

Shane Hale — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Tuesday, I ran out to Morley Field in attempt to beat the sun and get in at least 9 holes. Arriving at the second hole, there was an old friend that was now missing. In its place was this large cement slab with a single shoe on it, honoring the fallen shoe tree.

Probably one of San Diego’s oddest landmarks and tourist attractions, the shoe tree had died years ago. Disc golfers protested its removal and would add new ‘foliage’, tying the strings of their shoes together, and launching them up into the branches. Some say the looser would add his shoes, while others say it was to honor a hole in one.

With the recent rains and high winds, the tree finally gave in and fell, late night on January 8th. According to the UT, it took 2 tractors 4 trips to dispose of all the shoes.

Fair well to shoe tree on #2. We still got shoe tree on #11, and the neighboring trees on #2 now sport some new sneaks.

RIP: Colin Mcrae

Shane Hale — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:27:00 +0000

Colin Mcrae passed away along with his 5 year-old son in a helicopter crash on Saturday. The 39 year old, was the first briton to win the Word Rally Championship (WRC). His agressive driving style tore-up the WRC curcuit for years, and recently has participated in the X-Games Rally Event. In addition to WRC he also acceled in Le Mans, Paris-Dakar, and even in F1.

RIP: James Brown, Godfather of Soul

Shane Hale — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 09:01:00 +0000

Legendary singer James Brown passed away in Atlanta today at the age of 73. His rough voice and flashy footwork influenced everyone from Michael Jackson to Mick Jagger. He was a great talent and will be missed.

His classic singles included:

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag
Sex Machine (Get Up I feel Like Being…)
I Got You (I Feel Good)

RIP Crocodile Hunter [1962-2006]

Shane Hale — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 19:20:00 +0000

I’m not talking about the want-to-be Paul Hogan, who portrayed the Crocodile Dundie, I’m talking about THE Crocodile Man, Steve Irwin.

In an unfortunate accident, Irwine was killed by a stingray barb while diving in the Queensland’s Batt Reef. The stalled filming of a documentary called the ‘The Oceans Deadliest’, Irwin decided to shoot some shallow water footage for his daughter’ television show. During this he swam too close to a stingray which became startled, sticking its barb through his chest. It is understood that he was killed instanty, and medical units on the scene only were able to confirm the ill fate. He died doing what he loved to do.

Steve Irwin was the man. Walking into pits with today’s dinosaurs without a glimpse of fear. He was an avid animal convervationist. The Australian naturalist captivated crowds and his tv audiences with his off the wall personality. He was best known for his Crocodile Hunter, a wildlife documentary series hosted with his American wife Terry. Irwin additionall owned the Australia Zoo at Beerwah in Queensland, and fronted several conservation efforts.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Truely a sad day for the animal kingdom.

More information about the man: http://www.crocodilehunter.com/