Obituary
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240824_OBP001.jpg)
Sweet stardom
Wally Amos built, and lost, a delicious empire
The showbiz promoter of Famous Amos cookies died on August 13th, aged 88
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240817_OBP001.jpg)
Running the peaks
Joss Naylor never let any mountain defeat him
The sheep-farmer and champion fell-runner died on June 28th, aged 88
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240810_OBP001.jpg)
Out of Stalin’s terror
Inna Solovyova studied both stagecraft and the Russian soul
The historian of the Moscow Art Theatre died on May 29th, aged 96
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240803_OBP501.jpg)
The Country Girl
Edna O’Brien’s books scandalised Ireland
The novelist and playwright died on July 27th, aged 93
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240727_OBP001.jpg)
Weapons into light
Thomas Neff’s idea rid the world of a third of its nuclear warheads
The physicist and government adviser died on July 11th, aged 80
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240720_OBP001.jpg)
Let’s talk about sex
Dr Ruth aimed to shake America out of its puritan ways
The psycho-sexual therapist and media star died on July 12th, aged 96
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240713_OBP001.jpg)
Haunted by a painting
Pål Enger never quite knew why he had to steal “The Scream”
The petty criminal and former footballer died on June 29th, aged 57
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240706_OBP501.jpg)
The keeper of memory
Ángeles Flórez Peón, “Maricuela”, made sure Spain did not forget its history
The last militiawoman who defended the Second Republic died on May 23rd, aged 105
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240629_OBP001.jpg)
Just keep having fun
Willie Mays’s philosophy was simple: They throw the ball, I hit the ball
Possibly the best baseball player ever died on June 18th, aged 93
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240622_OBP001.jpg)
No witches in this world
Birubala Rabha fought to end the stigmatisation of women
The intrepid campaigner against witch-hunting died on May 13th, aged 75
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240615_OBP001.jpg)
Out of the window, Earth
William Anders took the photo that kicked off the environmental movement
The Apollo 8 astronaut and nuclear engineer died on June 7th, aged 90
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240608_OBP002.jpg)
Unearthing ancient mysteries
Barry Kemp spent his career digging up Akhenaten’s abandoned city
The eminent Egyptologist died on May 15th, aged 84