Gerald Ford ended "our long national nightmare." Saddam Hussein was the United States' adversary in two wars. So different, these men both died in the waning days of 2006, and the world paused to note their passing.
One was 93, a former president who lived longer than any of his peers, dying peacefully with family members at his side and mourned as the man who brought decency and dignity to the presidency after the battering of Watergate.
The other was 69, a former dictator hanged for one of his crimes against the Iraqi people, brought to justice more than 3 1/2 years after a U.S.
-led invasion that removed him from power but has so far failed to bring peace to his country.
The leaders, visionaries, villains and heroes who left us in 2006 also include director Robert Altman, whose works included such masterpieces as "Nashville" and "The Player," and James Brown, the enormously influential "Godfather of Soul" who electrified audiences when he sang, "I feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel good!"
Betty Friedan, who gave rise to the modern women's movement four decades ago with her book "The Feminine Mystique," was one of many remarkable women whose deaths touched us in 2006.
In plays such as "The Heidi Chronicles," Wendy Wasserstein portrayed the generation of women who grew up with the very issues Friedan had raised. Shelley Winters was one of Hollywood's most colorful stars, climbing from sexpot parts to Oscar-winning dramatic roles and speaking out about social issues.
Though first gaining attention as a famous man's wife, Coretta Scott King went far beyond that, founding the Martin Luther King Jr.
Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
As ambassador to the U.N.
in the Reagan years, Jeane Kirkpatrick used her powerful intellect and plainspoken ways to champion human rights in Communist Cuba and the Soviet Union. Ann Richards served just one term as Texas governor, losing her re-election bid to future President George W. Bush, but her forthright manner made her a national figure.
The world of sports lost four legends within weeks this fall: golfer Byron Nelson, baseball great Buck O'Neil, Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach and Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.
Australian adventurer Steve Irwin captivated fans worldwide with his show "The Crocodile Hunter." Ed Bradley's interviews informed and inspired "60 Minutes" viewers for a quarter-century.
Aaron Spelling excelled at packaging stylish TV shows such as "Charlie's Angels."
Caspar Weinberger oversaw the Pentagon's biggest peacetime spending increase but was indicted and later pardoned for his role in Iran-Contra. Kenneth Lay also fell afoul of the law, convicted for his role in the Enron collapse.
Economists Milton Friedman and John Kenneth Galbraith were philosophical opposites, but combined academic prowess, political influence and success with the reading public.
Some notable names will join Saddam in infamy: Slobodan Milosevic, who brought deadly conflict to Yugoslavia; Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaida in Iraq; Shamil Basayev, whose Chechen rebels killed hundreds at a Russian school; Ta Mok, Cambodian known as "The Butcher"; and Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet.
Here, a roll call of some of the notables who died in 2006. (Cause of death cited for younger people if available.)
Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 62.
Emir of Dubai; prominent thoroughbred breeder. Jan. 4.
Lou Rawls, 72. Velvet-voiced singer of such hits as "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing." Jan.
6.
Shelley Winters, 85. Outspoken, Oscar-winning star who graduated from bombshell parts to dramas ("The Diary of Anne Frank.
") Jan. 14.
William "Bud" Post III, 66.
His $16.2 million lottery jackpot led to squabbles, business failures. Jan.
15.
Wilson Pickett, 64. Fiery soul music pioneer ("Mustang Sally.
") Jan. 19.
Anthony Franciosa, 77.
Hollywood actor ("A Face in the Crowd.") Jan. 19.
Fayard Nicholas, 91. With brother Harold, he wowed the tap dancing world. Jan.
24.
Johannes Rau, 75. Former German president; promoted deeper ties with Israel.
Jan. 27.
Rabbi Yitzhak Kadouri, around 106.
Influential leader of Kabbalah school of Jewish mystical thought. Jan. 28.
Nam June Paik, 74. Avant-garde artist credited with inventing video art. Jan.
29.
Wendy Wasserstein, 55. Playwright who celebrated women's lives.
("The Heidi Chronicles.") Jan. 30.
Lymphoma.
Coretta Scott King, 78. Civil rights leader; carried on work of her martyred husband.
Jan. 30.
Al Lewis, 82.
Grandpa on "The Munsters." Feb. 3.
Betty Friedan, 85. Her "The Feminine Mystique" helped shatter the cozy suburban ideal in postwar America. Feb.
4.
Sir Freddie Laker, 83. British entrepreneur who changed air travel with his low-cost Skytrain service.
Feb. 9.
Dr.
Norman Shumway, 83. Performed first successful heart transplant in U.S.
Feb. 10.
Peter Benchley, 65.
Author of "Jaws," novel made into blockbuster movie. Feb. 11.
Curt Gowdy, 86. Sportscaster; called 13 World Series and 16 All-Star games, first Super Bowl. Feb.
20.
Archbishop Paul C. Marcinkus, 84.
Top official at Vatican's bank before scandal ended tenure. Feb. 20.
Dennis Weaver, 81. Chester on "Gunsmoke"; the cop hero in "McCloud." Feb.
24.
Don Knotts, 81. Won five Emmys for playing bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show.
" Feb. 24.
Darren McGavin, 83.
Tough-talking actor; grouchy dad in "A Christmas Story." Feb. 25.
Otis Chandler, 78. Turned family-owned Los Angeles Times into one of nation's most distinguished papers. Feb.
27.
Retired Brig. Gen.
Robert L. Scott, 97. World War II ace, wrote "God Is My Co-Pilot.
" Feb. 27.
Richard Kuklinski, 70.
Notorious Mafia hitman known as "The Iceman." March 5.
Dana Reeve, 44.
Actress-singer, devoted herself to husband Christopher Reeve after he was paralyzed. March 6. Lung cancer.
Kirby Puckett, 45. Baseball Hall of Famer; carried Minnesota Twins to two World Series titles. March 6.
Stroke.
Gordon Parks, 93. Life photographer, Hollywood's first major black director ("Shaft.
") March 7.
John Profumo, 91. Former British Cabinet minister at center of huge 1963 scandal.
March 9.
Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, 75. Hockey Hall of Famer credited with inventing slap shot.
March 11.
Slobodan Milosevic, 64. Former Yugoslav leader; accused of orchestrating conflict that killed 250,000 people.
March 11.
Maureen Stapleton, 80. Oscar-winning actress who excelled on stage, screen, and television.
March 13.
Oleg Cassini, 92. His designs helped make Jacqueline Kennedy most glamorous first lady in history.
March 17.
Sarah Caldwell, 82. Hailed as first lady of opera for productions with Opera Company of Boston.
March 23.
Buck Owens, 76. Flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped country music ("Act Naturally.
") March 25.
Lyn Nofziger, 81. Ronald Reagan's press secretary and political adviser.
March 27.
Caspar Weinberger, 88. Consummate Cold Warrior; Reagan's defense secretary.
March 28.
Gene Pitney, 66. Singer with a string of hits ("Town Without Pity.
") April 5.
J.B.
Fuqua, 87. Tycoon who built multibillion-dollar Fuqua Industries. April 5.
June Pointer, 52. Youngest of hitmaking Pointer Sisters ("I'm So Excited.") April 11.
Cancer.
The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, 81.
Former Yale chaplain known for Vietnam era activism. April 12.
Dame Muriel Spark, 88.
British novelist ("The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.") April 13.
Scott Crossfield, 84.
First to fly at twice the speed of sound. April 19. Plane crash.
John Kenneth Galbraith, 97. Economist whose influence stretched from White House to Main Street. April 29.
Louis Rukeyser 73. Public TV host known for commonsense commentary on business. May 2.
Lillian Asplund, 99. Last Titanic survivor with memories of sinking. May 6.
Floyd Patterson, 71. Boxing great; regained heavyweight title in 1960 in rematch. May 11.
"Sonny" Montgomery, 85. Fifteen-term Mississippi congressman, pushed through modernized GI Bill. May 12.
Cy Feuer, 95. Co-producer of Broadway smashes ("Guys and Dolls.") May 17.
Katherine Dunham, 96. Choreographer who brought African influences to U.S.
dance. May 21.
Lloyd Bentsen, 85.
Former Treasury secretary, Texas senator. May 23.
Billy Preston, 59.
Singer-keyboardist ("Nothing From Nothing"); played with the Beatles. June 6. Heart infection; kidney failure.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 39. Leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. June 7.
U.S. air strike.
Kenneth Thomson, 82. Canada's richest person. June 12.
Charles Haughey, 80. Irish prime minister; career haunted by ethical questions. June 13.
Aaron Spelling, 83. TV impresario whose shows ("Beverly Hills 90210") were wildly popular. June 23.
Patsy Ramsey, 49. Was thrust into spotlight by unsolved slaying of her daughter JonBenet. June 24.
Cancer.
Kenneth Lay, 64. Enron founder who tumbled into disgrace.
July 5.
June Allyson, 88. Hollywood movies'"perfect wife.
" July 8.
Shamil Basayev, 41. Chechnya warlord, claimed responsibility for deadly Russian school siege.
Announced July 10. Allegedly killed by Russian forces.
Red Buttons, 87.
Actor-comedian; won Oscar with a dramatic turn in "Sayonara." July 13.
Robert Brooks, 69.
Chairman of Hooters of America, restaurants famed for scantily clad waitresses. July 16.
Mickey Spillane, 88.
Macho mystery writer who wowed millions of readers. July 17.
Thurl Metzger, 90.
Longtime leader of Heifer International, which provides livestock to the poor. July 26.
Dutch Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, 96.
Key figure in Roman Catholics' efforts to improve relations with other Christians, Jews. Aug. 1.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, 90. Soprano who won global acclaim. Aug.
3.
Susan Butcher, 51. Four-time Iditarod sled dog race winner.
Aug. 5. Leukemia.
James A. Van Allen, 91. Physicist; leader in space exploration.
Aug. 9.
Mike Douglas, 81.
Affable TV talk show host and singer. Aug. 11.
Alfredo Stroessner, 93. Ruled Paraguay for decades with a blend of guile and force. Aug.
16.
Joe Rosenthal, 94. Associated Press photojournalist who took picture of flag-raising on Iwo Jima.
Aug. 20.
Maria Esther de Capovilla, 116.
Believed to be world's oldest person. Aug. 27.
Naguib Mahfouz, 94. First Arab writer to win Nobel in literature. Aug.
30.
Glenn Ford, 90. Actor who played strong, thoughtful men ("The Blackboard Jungle.
") Aug. 30.
Nellie Connally, 87.
Former Texas first lady; was in President Kennedy's limousine when he was assassinated. Sept. 1.
Bob Mathias, 75. Two-time Olympic decathlon champion; California congressman. Sept.
2.
Steve Irwin, 44. Television's irrepressible "Crocodile Hunter.
" Sept 4. Sting ray attack.
Daniel Smith, 20.
Anna Nicole Smith's son; sudden passing made headlines worldwide. Sept 10. Drug combination.
Patty Berg, 88. Golf pioneer; won 15 major LPGA titles. Sept.
10.
Ann Richards, 73. Former Texas governor, flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to political celebrity.
Sept. 13.
Oriana Fallaci, 76.
Italian journalist noted for probing interviews with powerful people. Sept. 15.
Iva Toguri D'Aquino, 90. Convicted of treason as alleged propagandist Tokyo Rose; later pardoned. Sept.
26.
Byron Nelson, 94. Golfer; his 11 straight tournament victories in 1945 stand as one of sports' most enduring records.
Sept. 26.
Helen Chenoweth-Hage, 68.
Three-term Idaho congresswoman; outspoken conservative. Oct. 2.
Car crash.
Gary C. Comer, 78.
Founded Lands' End clothing company. Oct. 4.
Buck O'Neil, 94. Negro Leagues batting ace; star of PBS'"Baseball." Oct.
6.
Dr. Mason Andrews, 87.
Delivered nation's first test-tube baby. Oct. 13.
Gerry Studds, 69. First openly gay member of Congress; homosexuality exposed during page scandal. Oct.
14.
Jane Wyatt, 96. One of TV's favorite moms ("Father Knows Best.
") Oct. 20.
Red Auerbach, 89.
Basketball Hall of Famer; guided Boston Celtics to 16 championships. Oct. 28.
P.W. Botha, 90.
Apartheid-era South African president. Oct. 31.
William Styron, 81. Pulitzer-winning novelist ("The Confessions of Nat Turner.") Nov.
1.
Ed Bradley, 65. TV journalist who created a powerful body of work on "60 Minutes.
" Nov. 9.
Jack Palance, 87.
Hollywood heavy ("Shane") who turned to comedy, winning Oscar for "City Slickers." Nov. 10.
Gerald Levert, 40. Fiery R B singer ("Casanova.") Nov.
10.
Milton Friedman, 94. Nobel-winning economist; advocated an unfettered free market.
Nov. 16.
Bo Schembechler, 77.
One of college football's great coaches, compiling 194-48-5 record at Michigan. Nov. 17.
Robert Altman, 81. Caustic Hollywood director ("Nashville.") Nov.
20.
Betty Comden, 89. Her collaboration with Adolph Green produced "Singin' in the Rain.
" Nov. 23.
Anita O'Day, 87.
One of most respected 1940s jazz vocalists. Nov. 23.
Willie Pep, 84. Hall-of-fame boxer. Nov.
23.
Alexander Litvinenko, 43. Former Russian spy who criticized homeland's government.
Nov. 23. Poisoned.
Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, 80. U.
S. ambassador to United Nations during Reagan administration. Dec.
7.
Georgia Gibbs, 87. Hitmaking 1950s singer ("Kiss of Fire,""Dance With Me, Henry.
") Dec. 9.
Gen.
Augusto Pinochet, 91. Chilean leader who terrorized opponents; took power in bloody coup. Dec.
10.
Peter Boyle, 71. The curmudgeonly father on "Everybody Loves Raymond.
" Dec. 12.
Lamar Hunt, 74.
Owner of football's Kansas City Chiefs; coined term "Super Bowl." Dec. 13.
Ahmet Ertegun, 83. Founder of Atlantic Records; popularized Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin. Dec.
14.
Larry Sherry, 71. Dodgers reliever; 1959 World Series' most valuable player.
Dec. 17.
Joe Barbera, 95.
With Bill Hanna, created Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry, other beloved cartoon characters. Dec. 18.
Robert Stafford, 93. Three-term Vermont senator who championed the environment and education; the federal guaranteed student loan program is named for him. Dec.
23.
Frank Stanton, 98. CBS president for 26 years, who helped turn its TV operation into the "Tiffany network.
" Dec. 24.
James Brown, 73.
The pompadoured dynamo of music for a half-century; classic singles included "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)." Dec. 25.
Gerald Ford, 93. The nation's 38th president, a former Michigan congressman who did much to restore national confidence after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace in 1974. Dec.
26.
Chris Brown, 45. An All-Star third baseman; played six seasons in the majors.
Dec. 26. Burned in fire; autopsy pending.
Saddam Hussein, 69. Deposed Iraqi dictator hanged for the killing of 148 people after an attempt to assassinate him in 1982. Dec.
30.
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