obituaries

In the long-running "Up" series, Michael Apted began with a group of British children, and checked in with them every seven years as they aged. 63 Up came out in 2019, and he said he hoped to release 84 Up at age 99. He's pictured above at the Dubai Inter

Arts

Michael Apted, Director Of The 'Up' Documentary Series, Dies At 79

10:03pm January 08, 2021

by Neda Ulaby

Apted's pioneering documentary series began with a group of British children and checked in with them every seven years. He also directed Coal Miner's Daughter and The World Is Not Enough.

Sports

MLB Hall Of Famer Tommy Lasorda Dies At 93

4:08pm January 08, 2021

by Ted Robbins

Baseball Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda has died at age 93. Unlike most managers who move from team to team, Lasorda spent his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. NPR remembers his life.

LA Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda argues a call with an umpire during a game against the New York Mets in 1992. During his two decades as manager, Lasorda led Los Angeles to two World Series championships.

Sports

Legendary Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda Dies At 93

2:12pm January 08, 2021

by Ted Robbins

During his two decades as manager, the irascible, beloved Lasorda led Los Angeles to two World Series championships and four National League pennants.

Remembering Nature Writer Barry Lopez

1:40pm January 08, 2021

by Terry Gross

Lopez, who died Dec. 25, won the 1986 National Book Award for Arctic Dreams, an account of his travels in the far north over a period of four years. Originally broadcast in 1989 and 2013.

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Writer Eric Jerome Dickey poses at the 12th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus in 2007 in Los Angeles. Dickey died Jan. 3 after a long illness. He was 59.

Books

Eric Jerome Dickey, Bestselling Author Whose Novels Focused On Black Life, Dies at 59

1:43pm January 06, 2021

by Brakkton Booker

Much of Dickey's work, including 1996's Sister, Sister, was centered on strong Black female characters. He wrote 29 books and sold more than 7 million copies worldwide.

Remembering Colorado Activist Rita Martinez

5:38pm January 05, 2021

Community organizer Rita Martinez died last month of COVID-19 at age 65. Martinez spent decades fighting for the rights of Chicano and Indigenous people in Pueblo, Colo.

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Education

Former Students Remember Joe Clark, Educator Who Inspired 'Lean On Me'

7:53am January 02, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the life and legacy of famed educator Joe Clark with two of his former students, Thomas and Debra McEntyre. Clark died this week at the age of 82.

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Enigmatic Rapper And Producer MF DOOM Dead At 49

4:45pm January 01, 2021

Rapper MF DOOM died on Oct. 31 of yet-unknown causes, his wife announced on New Year's Eve on social media. He was one of hip-hop's great lyricists and one of its most mysterious figures.

Famous New Jersey Principal Joe Clark Dies At 82

3:43pm January 01, 2021

Educator Joe Clark has died at age 82. He gained fame — and notoriety — in the 1980s for a tough disciplinary record as principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, N.J.

MF DOOM, who always performed behind his signature mask, told NPR in in 2003, "The music first, then everything else."

Music & Culture

MF DOOM, Intricate And Enigmatic Rapper And Producer, Dead At 49

7:32am January 01, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

Daniel Dumile, the rapper and producer best known as MF DOOM, died Oct. 31, according to Facebook message posted Thursday by his wife.