Monte Amundsen, American opera and musical singer, died she was 81.

Monte Amundsen ^[1] was an American opera and musical singer who appeared on Broadway in Marc Blitzstein's musical Juno in 1959, which starred Shirley Booth died she was 81..

(January 15, 1930 – December 24, 2011)

Biography

Composer Marc Blitzstein was reportedly so delighted with Amundsen that he expanded her role in Juno (musical) to include three major songs: I Wish It So, For Love, and My True Heart, as well as a duet with Shirley Booth, The Bird Upon The Tree. The show was not a success, but Amundsen's well-received performance is preserved on the original cast recording. In 1964 she appeared in another ill-fated musical, Cafe Crown, which closed after two performances. She made many appearances at The Muny, including Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (1969); Marie Esterhazy in Blossom Time (1966); Gretel in Hansel & Gretel (1966); Barbara in Milk and Honey (1964); Anna Belle in Robin Hood (1961); Resi in The Great Waltz (1961); Gretchen in The Red Mill (1960) and Adele in Die Fledermaus (1958).^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

She was briefly married to dancer Tommy Rall^[2] and later married opera star Giorgio Tozzi, with whom she had two children, Jennifer and Eric. Giorgio Tozzi's death came seven months before her own.^[3]


To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Bruce Ruxton, Australian veterans' representative and advocate, President of the Victorian RSL (1979–2002), died he was 85.

Bruce Carlyle Ruxton, AM, OBE was an Australian ex-serviceman and President of the Victorian Returned and Services League from 1979 to 2002 died he was 85..

(6 February 1926 – 23 December 2011) 

Early life

Ruxton grew up in Kew, Victoria. He attended Melbourne High School.

War service

Ruxton enlisted in the Australian Army on 22 February 1944, and was employed as a company cook. He served in World War II in the South West Pacific Area, the Netherlands East Indies and Balikpapan in Borneo, and for three years he served in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, as a rifleman in the 2/25 Australian Infantry Battalion of the 7th Division. He was discharged on 12 January 1949 but was not promoted beyond the rank of Private.

Representing the war veterans

After his war service, he became a vocal spokesman on behalf of war veterans and their families, ensuring they received their pensions and entitlements. As the Second World War veterans grew older, he lobbied on their behalf regarding issues such as nursing homes and retirement accommodation.^{[citation needed]}
Following two years of ill-health due to viral pneumonia contracted during a visit to Boer War sites, Ruxton resigned as President of the Victorian RSL in June 2002.^{[citation needed]}

Advocacy

Along with RSL National President, Brigadier Alf Garland, Ruxton was a staunch opponent of the Multifunction Polis (MFP), a Japanese funded technology city proposed in 1987 for the north of Adelaide. Ruxton said it would become "a Jap city".^[1]
In 1980 Ruxton achieved national media coverage with his strong criticism of the Northcote City Council in Victoria, after strongly left-wing Councillors supported a number of policies that were anathema to those traditionally held by the RSL. These included the flying of the Eureka flag rather than the Australian flag from the Northcote Town Hall, and support for an Australian republic.^[2] Ruxton claimed 'ethnics and anti-British elements' were responsible for a lack of patriotism.^[3] Ruxton was also incensed at the refusal of Scottish-born Councillor Brian Sanaghan to renew his oath of allegiance to the Queen after being re-elected to the Northcote Council in 1980.^[4] Pressure from Ruxton resulted in Sanaghan's place on the Council being declared vacant.^[5]
Ruxton's referred to the Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu as a "witch doctor" during Tutu's visit to Victoria in 1986, an outburst he later acknowledged he regretted.^[6]
In the 1998 Constitutional Convention for the Republic he represented monarchist group Safeguard the People.^[7] On 31 January 1992, Ruxton stated that the RSL and its membership: "will never agree to this country becoming a republic. We are proud to be associated with the Queen, who is our patron, and who, as this country's head of State, has never once put a foot wrong. Show me a politician with such a record."^[8] Ruxton has consistently argued that the Australian flag and the Queen, as our head of state, guarantee that Australia will remain a free democracy, and that a republican form of government in Australia could become totalitarian.^[9]
In 1991, Ruxton appeared on the Nine Network's Midday television show with host Ray Martin, to advocate Australia remaining a monarchy, in a live televised debate with singer Normie Rowe and radio broadcaster Ron Casey. The debate got out of hand, with Normie Rowe and Ron Casey physically brawling on live TV. The following day, Ruxton said: "As for Ron Casey, he deserved a good punch in the nose. He certainly did not do his cause any good. We have enough problems to fix up without arguing and fighting over whether Australia should become a republic."^[10]

Popular culture

A character originally from Australia You're Standing In It (and later in Fast Forward), Bruce Rump, was based on him. Bruce Rump would rant in a voice similar to Ruxton's, sometimes reaching a violent frenzy and ending with the non sequitur "... and that's why we should keep the bloody flag the same!" The send ups of Bruce Rump would often also be send ups of long running Australian children's TV series Romper Room, referred to as "Rumper Room".^{[citation needed]}
Ruxton made fun of himself by releasing a rap single, in which he lampooned his own persona. A song by Melbourne punk band Res-Heads was named after Ruxton.^[11]

Honours

In 1975 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), an Officer of the Order (OBE) in 1981, and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1996. In 1997 he received the Chevalier of Order of Merit from Jacques Chirac. He also received the Légion d'honneur.

Death

He died on 23 December 2011, following the development of dementia. He was 85.^[12][13] His funeral service included a Masonic tribute as well as full RSL honours.^[14][15]


To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Aydın Menderes, Turkish politician, son of Adnan Menderes, died he was 65.

Aydın Menderes was a Turkish politician. He was a deputy, who represented various parties from 1977 to 2002  died he was 65.. He was the youngest son of former prime minister Adnan Menderes.^[1][2]

 

^{(May 5, 1946 in Ankara–December 23, 2011 Ankara)} 

Personal life

Aydın was born in 1946 as the third son of Adnan and Berrin Menders in Ankara. His father, who was prime minister since 1950 in office, was ousted by the 1960 military coup, tried and executed in 1961 along with two other government ministers.^[2][3]
Following completion of his secondary education at the TED Ankara College in 1964, he attended Ankara Academy of Commerce and Economics, graduating in 1968. He entered trade business first, switched over to politics in 1970. In 1976, Aydın Menderes completed his military service at Iskenderun.^[3]
His brother Yüksel committed suicide in 1972, and the other brother Mutlu died in a traffic accident in 1978. Aydın Menderes became crippled following a traffic accident in 1996, and was dependent on wheelchair since then.^[2]
He died on December 23, 2011 in a hospital in Ankara, where was treated for a long time. He was survived by his wife Ümran, whom he married to in 1991.^[3]

Politics career

Aydın Menders entered politics as the leader of Democtraic Party's Aydın Province organization in 1970. Following the 1977 general election, he entered the parliament as deputy of Konya Province from the Justice Party (AP).^[1]
He was among the politicians, who were banned from the active politics for a time of ten-years after the 1980 military coup. In 1993, he established the "Great Change Party" (BDP) and became its leader. In 1994, his party merged into the Democrat Party (DP), which was relaunched in 1992 after its closure in 1980. Aydın Menderes was elected its leader and served at this post until 1995.^[1][3]
at the 1995 general election, he was elected Deputy of Istanbul from the Islamist Welfare Party (RP). The next year, he became deputy party leader. After the bann of the party in 1998, Aydın Menderes shifted to Virtue Party (FP), another Islamist party, and was elected deputy of Istanbul Province at the 1999 general election. After a while, he reseigned from the Virtue Party.^[1][3]
In the 2002 general election, he ran for a seat in the parliament from the True Path Party (DYP) in Aydın. However, the DYP failed to gain any seat in the parliament. In 2007, the DYP and the Motherland Party (ANAP) merged to form and to revive the historical Democratic Party (DP). Aydın Menderes quit the politics after Hüsamettin Cindoruk became leader of the party in May 2009.^[1][3]

Writing career

In 2003, Aydın Menderes began to write for the newspaper Tercüman. He wrote later columns for the daily Yeni Asır.
Between 1987 and 2005, he published some books on his political thoughts.

Works

• Tarihte Bir Yolculuk (1987), Dergah Yayınları
• Aydın Menderes ve Siyasette Yeni Yönelişler (1992), Dergah Yayınları (Söyleyişlerinden bir secme)
• Yirmibirinci Yüzyıla Girerken Dünya ve Türkiye (1995, Demokrat Parti Yayınları
• Yirmibirinci Yüzyıla Girerken Demokrat Partinin Misyonu, Demokrat Parti Yayınları)
• Gelenekten Güncele (1999), Gün Yayıncılık
• Devletin Alınyazısı (2005), Kızılelma Yayınları

To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Tripuraneni Maharadhi, Indian screenwriter, died he was 82.

Tripuraneni Maharadhi born Tripuraneni Balgangadhar Rao in a zamindaar family in Pasumarru in Krishna district, is a dialogue writer turned screenwriter in Telugu Cinema died he was 82..^[1][2]

Career

He worked in about 150 films and also wrote several books. Before entering into film industry he worked as journalist for the magazines like Zameen Raithu, Golkonda and Telugu Desam.
Later, he went to Chennai on the basis of a job in Radio station and settled as a writer in film industry. He started off his film career by writing dialogues to dubbed films as he has grip on various languages. His first film was ‘Rodhanu Yodhulu’, which was the Telugu version of Tamil film ‘Sivaganga Seemai’ and his first straight Telugu film was NTR’s ‘Bandipotu’ in 1963.
He first met NTR on the sets of ‘Mana Desam’. Some of his other films which earned him reputation were ‘Sathi Arundhati’, ‘Kanchukota’, ‘Niluvu Dhopidi’, ‘Pethamdaarlu’, ‘Simhasanam’, ‘Devudu Chesina Manushulu’, etc.

Filmography

As writer

• Bandipotu (1963)
• Kanchukota (1967)
• Niluvu Dopidi (1968)
• Pettandarlu (1970)
• Desoddharakulu (1973)
• Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
• Paadi Pantalu (1976)
• Kurukshetram (1977)
• Ram Robert Raheem (1980)
• Hema Hemeelu (1980)
• Praja Rajyam (1983)
• Simhasanam (1986)
• Santhi Sandesam (2004)

As Producer

• Rythu Bharatam (1994)

To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Francis Nigel Lee, British-born American theologian, died from a motor neurone disease he was 77,

Francis Nigel Lee  was a Christian theologian died from a motor neurone disease he was 77,. Lee was particularly known for the large number of academic degrees he earned from a variety of institutions. He obtained B.A, LL.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Cape Town, L.Th., B.D., M.Th. and Th.D degrees from the University of Stellenbosch, and Ph.D from Orange Free State University, and several other doctorates from unaccredited institutions, including D.Min., S.T.D. and D.Hum. degrees from Whitefield Theological Seminary.^[2]

^{(5 December 1934 – 23 December 2011[1])}

Lee was born in Westmorland in the UK, but emigrated as a child to South Africa, where he became a minister. Lee moved to the USA, where he served as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, as Professor of Philosophy at Shelton College, New Jersey and as Academic Dean of Graham Bible College in Bristol, Tennessee.^[2] Lee then moved to Australia, where he served as Professor at the Presbyterian Church of Queensland Theological Hall.
Stuart Piggin notes that Lee "exuberantly led the resurgence of Reformed theology among Queensland Presbyterians."^[3]
Lee was a firm advocate of the historicist method of interpretation in Christian eschatology.


To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Evelyn Handler, American academic, President of the University of New Hampshire (1980–1983) and Brandeis University (1983–1991), died from a traffic collision she was 78.

Evelyn Erika Handlerserved from 1980 to 1983 as the University of New Hampshire's fourteenth, and first female, president died from a traffic collision she was 78.. Handler was the first woman in the country to be named president of a publicly supported land grant university. She was credited with bringing in $15 million in federal grants for a science and engineering research center.^[1] 

(née Sass; May 5, 1933 – December 23, 2011) 

 In 1983, Handler was inaugurated as President of Brandeis University, where she was also the first woman to hold that position. Notable achievements during her tenure include the initiation of The Volen National Center for Complex Systems, the strengthening of life sciences at Brandeis, admission to the Association of American Universities, and founding membership in the University Athletic Association. After leaving Brandeis in 1991, Handler was a research fellow and associate of the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, and a senior fellow at The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. From 1994 to 1997, she served as California Academy of Sciences' executive director and CEO.

Earlier in her career, she was Dean of Sciences and Mathematics, and professor of biological sciences at Hunter College, where she had earned her undergraduate degree. Dr. Handler earned M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from New York University, and a J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center. Her scholarly work includes many publications on myelogenous leukemia.
Handler was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences. Additionally, she was elected to the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences in 1979, and served as a director of the Student Loan Corporation (Stamford, CT). She held honorary degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Rivier College and Hunter College. She was killed when she was struck by a car on December 23, 2011.^[1]


To see more of who died in 2011 click here

Denise Darcel, French actress, aneurysm she was 87.

Denise Darcel was a French actress who also made films in Hollywood aneurysm she was 87..^[2]

^{(8 September 1924 – 23 December 2011)} 

Born as Denise Billecard^[3] in Paris, she was college educated.^[4] According to a friend, whom she met in Paris during World War II, she was a passenger in an L-5 Stinson light observation aircraft on VJ Day to see the celebration from the air. The pilot, James Helinger Sr., a US Army Air Corps glider pilot (the friend) was at the controls, while they flew under several bridges along the Seine and finally, under the Eiffel Tower, with the crowds below.^[5]
She was a cabaret singer in Paris after World War II before being spotted by Hollywood. Denise came to the United States in 1947^[6] and became an American citizen in 1952.^[3]
Her first film appearance of note was in Battleground (1949). She appeared on Broadway in the musical Pardon Our French in 1950. She made quite an impression in Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) opposite Lex Barker, then co-starred with Robert Taylor in Westward the Women (1952) and Glenn Ford in Young Man with Ideas (1952). In 1953, she was seen in the swimming musical Dangerous When Wet, which starred Esther Williams (1953). Her most important film was Vera Cruz (1954) where she played the female lead opposite Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster. Her last film (1961) was Seven Women from Hell.
After her film and television career began to wane, Darcel, aged 41, became an ecdysiast (stripper), appearing in West Coast theatres in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Oakland, and Los Angeles. She retired from stripping after a few years and returned to the cabaret circuit, making a few appearances on television. In 1991,^[7] she was cast as "Solange La Fitte" in the Los Angeles 20th anniversary revival of the musical Follies, produced by the Long Beach Civic Light Opera. She would later repeat the role of Solange in 1995 for revivals in Houston and Seattle.
Married three times and divorced twice, Darcel remained close to her two sons, Chris and Craig. Online music store iTunes recently made Darcel's album, Banned in Boston, available for purchase alongside actress Lizabeth Scott's album, Lizabeth.
In September 2009, she was honored with the Cinecon Career Achievement Award, presented in Hollywood at a banquet held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Prior to the ceremony, a new 35mm color print of her 1953 film, Flame of Calcutta, was screened at the Egyptian Theatre. After the screening, at the banquet, she cheerfully announced to the audience, "I'm back". She died in December 2011, aged 87, after emergency surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.^[8][9]

Filmography

• To the Victor (1948) (uncredited) as Bar Singer
• Thunder in the Pines (1948) as Yvette Cheron
• Battleground (1949) as Denise
• Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) as Lola
• Westward the Women (1951) as Fifi Danon
• Young Man with Ideas (1952) as Dorianne Gray
• Dangerous When Wet (1953) as Gigi Mignon
• Flame of Calcutta (1953) as Suzanne Roget
• Vera Cruz (1954) as Countess Marie Duvarre
• The Martha Raye Show (1954) as herself
• Gamble on Love (DuMont game show, 1954; replaced by Ernie Kovacs)
• The Milton Berle Show (1 episode, 1956)
• Tightrope as Terri (1 episode, 1960)
• Seven Women from Hell (1961) as Claire Oudry
• Naked City as Madeleine Douvay (1 episode, 1962)
• Combat! as Annette (1 episode, 1963)

To see more of who died in 2011 click here