Daniel Bell dies at 91; sociologist wrote about 'post-industrial' society

The Harvard and Columbia professor was a public intellectual and a widely quoted essayist. He defined himself as a liberal in politics, a socialist in economics and a conservative in culture.

Milton Levine dies at 97; co-creator of popular ant farm toys

Uncle Milton's Ant Farm was an instant hit in the fad-crazy 1950s. More than 20 million were sold during Levine's lifetime. 'Humanity can learn a lot from the ant,' he said.

Samuel Ruiz dies at 86; Mexican bishop championed rights of Maya Indians

Ruiz organized a network of lay Bible teachers who fanned out across Chiapas state, allowing Indians to participate in church worship in ways never before possible. In 1994, during the Zapatista rebellion, he mediated peace talks.

George Crowe dies at 89; onetime ballplayer in Negro Leagues was major league All-Star

George Crowe, a left-handed batter and first baseman played for the Braves, Reds and Cardinals from 1952 to '61. Earlier, he played on a basketball team with Jackie Robinson.

Wayne Grisham dies at 88; two-term GOP member of Congress

Grisham represented the 33rd Congressional District, which included La Mirada, Whittier and Downey, from 1978 to 1982. He also served on the La Mirada City Council and in the state Assembly.

Ron Patterson dies at 80; co-founder of Renaissance Pleasure Faire

He and his wife started the fair in 1963, enlisting improvisational actors and approximating Elizabethan-era costumes as best they could. The fair's historical accuracy improved over the years.

Jack LaLanne dies at 96; spiritual father of U.S. fitness movement

The ever-buoyant LaLanne opened what's believed to be the country's first health club in Oakland in 1936. In the '50s he started a TV exercise show geared toward housewives, and he sold a popular line of exercise equipment, supplements and health food.

Reynolds Price dies at 77; author and longtime Duke professor

His novels and poems are widely praised for their vibrant characters, eloquent language and astute portrayals of Southern life. His most productive years came after a spine tumor left him a paraplegic in the 1980s.

Wilfrid Sheed dies at 80; novelist and essayist

Over his long career, he wrote biographies, memoirs, novels and criticism for diverse publications about a broad range of subjects, from baseball to popular music.

Theoni Aldredge dies at 78; costume designer

The Tony and Oscar winner created wardrobes for more than 300 productions and became an inspiration for today's fashion designers, including Ralph Lauren.

Donna Atwood dies at 85; longtime Ice Capades star

Billed as 'the Sweetheart of the Ice,' Donna Atwood started skating as a teenager. Largely self-taught, she signed with the Ice Capades at 16 and within a year was its star.

Georgia Carroll Kyser dies at 91; model, actress sang with husband's big band

She was a vocalist for Kay Kyser, the bandleader for a weekly radio show dubbed 'The Kollege of Musical Knowledge.' She also appeared in 14 films.

Milton Rogovin dies at 101; social documentary photographer captured 'the forgotten ones'

Rogovin was an optometrist in Buffalo, N.Y., who found his calling after being blacklisted in the Red Scare. He photographed the working class, in particular those living in a six-square-block area of Buffalo.

R. Sargent Shriver dies at 95; 'unmatched' public servant and Kennedy in-law

Sargent Shriver, a lawyer, worked for JFK's and Lyndon Johnson's administrations. He launched social programs including the Peace Corps, Head Start and the Job Corps and led the 'war on poverty.' Programs he created 'still change people's lives,' says daughter Maria Shriver.

Don Kirshner dies at 76; music mogul

Don Kirshner guided the careers of songwriters, launched the Monkees and introduced TV audiences to an array of musicians and comics through his show in the 1970s.

Dale Fetherling dies at 69; journalist helped create The Times' San Diego County edition

The editor and writer guided the edition from its inception in 1978 to its closure in 1992. He later taught at the college level and wrote a biography of labor activist Mary Harris Jones.

Wendell 'Bud' Hurlbut dies at 92; designed, built attractions for Knott's Berry Farm

Wendell 'Bud' Hurlbut is credited with helping to turn Knott's Berry Farm into a modern amusement park. He created several rides for the park, including two signature attractions: the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride.