Milestones
DIED The son of legendary Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, Skip Caray kept the family tradition alive while developing his own style and devoted following. The voice of the Atlanta Braves for more than three decades, Caray provided commentary punctuated by his wry wit and irreverent humor--as in the game in which he declared each batter's success against pitcher Jung Bong "another hit off of Bong." Though he was derided by some for overly favoring his home team, among loyal Braves fans that was more of a reason to adore him. He was 68.
Argentine artist Perez Celis moved comfortably through many media, producing innovative sculptures, paintings and murals and even recently illustrating a Spanish translation of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. While he exhibited his work around the globe and lived abroad for many years, his devotion was ultimately to his homeland and his favorite sports team. Two of Celis' colorful murals adorn the walls at the Buenos Aires stadium of his beloved Boca Juniors soccer team. He died of leukemia at age 69.
When Margaret Ray Ringenberg first saw an airplane cockpit at age 7, she fell in love with flight. Though she took lessons as a young woman, she was resigned to reaching the skies as a flight attendant--until the Army Air Force began recruiting women pilots in 1940. As Tom Brokaw recounts in his book The Greatest Generation, her father said, "I didn't get to serve and I don't have any boys, so I guess you'll have to do it." During World War II, Ringenberg flew military planes across the U.S., ultimately logging some 40,000 hours in the air. She was 87.