The End of an Era in Four Professions

As 2006 comes to a close, four individuals who had a dramatic impact on their respective career fields and our society passed away. Their presence will be missed in the areas of animation, filmmaking, music and computer science.

Alan Shugart "leading pioneer of the computer disk drive industry and nicknamed the Disk Drive King was recognized for his unconventional thinking in technology and society, in particular, the betterment of society and promoting the public's interest in American politics"
biography

Peter Boyle "40 year veteran of acting, this Emmy Award Winning Actor was known for his memorable roles in movies like Young Frankenstein, Taxi Driver, The Dream Team, and While You Were Sleeping, and more importantly his recent role on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)"
biography, filmography

Ahmet Ertegun "Atlantic Records founder and music visionary whose company introduced America to such artists as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Sonny & Cher, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, and contemporary artists Kid Rock, Missy Elliott and James Blunt."
biography

Joseph Barbera "Co-founder of Hanna-Barbera Productions, this Emmy Award Winning director and producer introduced America's children to some of the most beloved cartoon characters ever created, such as Tom & Jerry, Yogi Bear, the Flintstones, the Jetsons, the Smurfs, Scooby-Doo, Huckleberry Hound, Speed Buggy, Jabberjaw, Hong Kong Phooey, Space Ghost, the Herculoids, Johnny Quest, and many more."
biography, filmography