Absent Friends 2013

As the year draws to a close, it is time to look back.

In 2013, The Grandstander noted the loss of 33 Absent Friends, those who left us in this year whose mark on history, society, popular culture or just on me personally was such that I felt it noteworthy to comment upon their passing.  

 I cannot do this without giving a shout out the great sportswriter, Red Smith, who always used the term "Absent Friends" when writing about those who had died.  

And now, a final salute to the Absent Friends of 2013:

Earl Weaver
Stan Musial
Patty Andrews
Ed Koch
Ruth Ann Steinhagen
Roger Ebert
Annette Funicello
Jonathan Winters
Pat Summerall
Frank Bank
Richie Havens
Jack Butler
Ken Venturi
Bill Austin
James Gandolfini
Simmie Hill
Terry Lee
Karen Black
Ted Post
David Frost
Dixie Evans
L.C. Greenwood
John Ferguson
Scott Carpenter
Bum Phillips
Bud Adams
Lou Reed
Evan Chambers
Nelson Mandela
Peter O'Toole
Joan Fontaine
Paul Blair
James Ecker

Rest in Peace.