Benno Schmidt Jr., top leader at Yale and CUNY, dies at 81
He also served as dean of Columbia Law School and helped start two for-profit private school ventures.
By Emily LangerMilan Kundera, author of ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ dies at 94
Czech-born novelist Milan Kundera mixed philosophical speculation with political critique and erotic reverie.
By Harrison SmithMary Ann Hoberman, award-winning poet for children, dies at 92
She received a National Book Award for “A House Is a House for Me” and had bestsellers in the You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You series.
By Emily LangerThe Rev. Stephen Pieters, who helped shift views on AIDS, dies at 70
His 1985 interview, conducted by televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, was considered a groundbreaking moment in changing public perceptions on AIDS
By Brian MurphyPeter Nero, pianist who bridged pop and classical, dies at 89
Peter Nero won two Grammy Awards, conducted the Philly Pops orchestra and set Anne Frank’s diary to music.
By Harrison SmithJames Lewis, suspect in Tylenol poisonings, dies at 76
The poisonings led to the widespread adoption of tamperproof packaging for many over-the-counter medications.
By Associated PressMinnie Bruce Pratt, poet of lesbian strength and struggles, dies at 76
In Washington, Ms. Pratt helped lead gay and lesbian activism in the 1980s.
By Brian MurphyNikki McCray-Penson, who played on Olympic gold medal hoops teams, dies at 51
She was with the Washington Mystics, among other teams, during her long career as a player and coach.
By Associated PressDavid Fogle, influential preservationist, dies at 94
At the University of Maryland, he started a historic preservation program to get students hands-on experience.
By Michael S. RosenwaldJames Dobbins, U.S. diplomat in global hot spots, dies at 81
Mr. Dobbins reopened the U.S. Embassy in Kabul following the 2001 invasion. Two decades later, he bemoaned U.S. mistakes as the Taliban regained power.
By Brian MurphyCoco Lee, pop singer whose career spanned two continents, dies at 48
She was the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s 1998 animated film “Mulan.”
By Associated PressDavid Gilmour, entrepreneur who created Fiji water, dies at 91
He turned pure island water into liquid gold, selling his company in 2004 for a reported $50 million.
By Harrison SmithYan Mingfu, Chinese official demoted after Tiananmen crackdown, dies at 91
He led the government outreach to the Tiananmen protesters and once offered himself as a "hostage" for protesters on hunger strike.
By Brian MurphyJulian Sands, wide-ranging British actor, is found dead
The actor, best known for his performance in the Edwardian period piece “A Room With a View,” had gone missing in January while trekking in California.
By Emily LangerLéon Gautier, French commando who landed at Normandy, dies at 100
“The younger generations have to be told,” Mr. Gautier said. "War is ugly. War is misery, misery everywhere.”
By Associated PressSusan Love, surgeon who crusaded against breast cancer, dies at 75
She co-founded the National Breast Cancer Coalition and sought to eradicate the disease, which remains the second deadliest cancer for women in the U.S.
By Harrison SmithCarlos Alberto Montaner, Cuban exile writer who battled Castro, dies at 80
Mr. Montaner initially celebrated Fidel Castro's takeover of Cuba but quickly turned into a fierce critic.
By Brian MurphyBobby Osborne, innovative bluegrass musician, dies at 91
The mandolinist and lead singer of the Osborne Brothers transformed bluegrass with drums and amplified instruments.
By Terence McArdleLilli Vincenz, early activist in gay rights movement, dies at 85
After being outed and discharged from the Women's Army Corps, she became a central, if long unsung, figure in the struggle for gay equality.
By Emily LangerAlan Arkin, Oscar-winning actor with a wry charm, dies at 89
The four-time Oscar nominee appeared in movies including “Catch-22,” “Argo” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” which earned him the best supporting actor prize.
By Harrison Smith