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Less known Voices of 2008

By Jason Goldtrap 12.10.08

As the year draws to a close, let us remember the voices of the less known in 2008, those who have contributed to American culture. Maudie Hopkins, 93, was the last American Civil War widow. Harry Richard Landis, 108, second to the last American World War 1 vet. Jacob DeShazer, 95, participated in the Doolittle Raid. RAF pilot James Bertram, 92, survived "The Great Escape", which was planned by Eric Dowling, 92. Col. Donald Blakeslee, 89, flew more missions against the Luftwaffe as any other American fighter pilot. Joseph M. Juran, 103, has been an innovator in the quality control post-war Japan.

Dirth Pran, 65, American journalist of Cambodian origin, survivor of the massacres. Frank Piasecki, 88, invented the tandem placement rotor Chinook helicopters. Col. John Ripley, 69, have prevented an attack by 20,000 enemy soldiers by blowing up the Dong Ha Bridge. Bernie Boston, 74, took a photo of a protester in 1967 put an eyelet in the barrel of a gun. Major Andrew J. Olmsted, 37, was an Army blogger in Iraq.

David Kahn, 98, wrote the theme "Leave It to Beaver," Bob LeMond. 94, was the announcer. Earl Hagen, 88, composed the theme of "The Andy Griffith Show." Shell Kepler, 49, has played Nurse Vining on "General Hospital. Manuel Padilla Jr., 51, was a Pharaoh in "American Graffiti". Dick Martin, 86, co-organized "Laugh-In." Rob Knox, 18, is in the next "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Richard Wright, 65, co-founder of Pink Floyd. John Stewart, 68, sang with the Kingston Trio, which was co-founded with Nick Reynolds, 75. Larry Norman, 60, a pioneer of Christian rock. Dottie Rambo, 74, was a gospel singer. Paul Davis, 60, admits "I Go Crazy (You know when I look in your eyes)." Mike Smith, 64, sing for the Dave Clark Five. Jerry Wallace, 79, walked down "Primrose Lane." Jim Hagar, 61, sang on "Hee Haw." Dennis Yost, 65, sang "Spooky" with conventional IV. Gloria Shayne Baker, 84, wrote "You hear what I hear?

Norman "Hurricane" Smith, 85 years, "Oh Babe, how about you?" Rod Allen, 63, of fortune sang "You've Got Your Troubles (I've Got Mine)." Lita Roza, 82, sang "How much Doggie in the Window?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, 91, the guru of the Beatles. Levi Stubbs, 72, sang the Four Tops "Baby I Need Your Lovin '."

Cliff Nobel, 64, had been a success in 1968, "the horse". Al Gallodoro, 95, played clarinet introduction melancholy of "Rhapsody in Blue." LeRoi Moore, 46, saxophonist, Dave Matthews Band. Mitch Mitchel, 62, played drums on "The Wind Cries Mary." Don Helms , 81, played steel guitar on "Your Cheatin Heart '."

Kurt Eberling, Sr., 77, has invented SpaghettiOs. Herb Peterson, 89, invented the Egg McMuffin. Al Copeland, 64, founded Popeyes chicken. Lovie Yancey, 96, founder of Fatburger. Carl Karcher, 90, founded Carl's Jr.. Irv Robbins, 90, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins. Fred Baur, 89, invented the Pringles. Wilbur Hardee, 89, founded Hardees.

Joan Winston, 77, helped organize the first "Star Trek" Convention. Alexander Courage, 88, wrote the theme from "Star Trek" and even made the "whoosh" sound as businesses pass. Ray Ellis, 82, has composed the music for the animated series. Dr. Alvin Marks, 97, gave us 3D glasses. Ben Chapman, 79, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Gary Gygax, 69, co-creator of "Dungeons and Dragons"

Harry Lange, 77, has designed a future that should have been in "2001: A Space Odyssey." Roy Scheider, 75, and Natasha Shneider, 52, shares a tender scene that the spaceship Leonov air brake around Jupiter in "2010". Maila Nurmi, 86, was Vampira in "Plan 9 from Outer Space", a film part.