Adieus to Achievers

By Dr. Robert R. Morman

This book presents a series of mini biographies of

famous achievers who contributed uniquely and per-

suasively to American culture in films, politics, news

broadcasting, sports, entertainment, law enforcement

and education.

Included are such luminaries as Paul Newman, Paul

Harvey, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson,

Walter Cronkite, Edward M. Kennedy, Merlin Olsen,

Fess Parker, Jaime Escalente, John Forsythe, Darl F.

Gates, Lena Horne, Dennis Hopper, John R. Wooden,

Robert C. Byrd and George M. Steinbrenner.

Each stellar celebrity made unique contributions in

their respective fields of endeavor that withstand the test

of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 31, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456727550

Dr. Robert R. Morman

Robert R. Morman was born in Lansford, PA. He He served in the USN as Chief Yeoman during WWII and later joined the USAFR and retired as a Major.  He received the B. A., M. A. and Ph. D. degrees in psychology (USC, 1955). He worked as a research psychologist, counseling psychologist, and professor in psychology and education at CSULA. Xlibris.com published “Final Departures of the Famous,” “Exits of the Eminent,” “Passing of the Prominent” and “Bush’s Fourth Year, Post War Iraq.”  lstBooks.com (AuthorHouse.com) published several books on the Clinton presidency, “Bush’s Presidential Election 2000,” “Bush’s First Year…,“ “Bush’s Second Year…” and “Bush’s Third Year...” AuthorHouse also published “Lights Out for Laudable Luminaries” in ’05, “Bush’s 6th Year— Civil War in Iraq…” in ’07, “Demises of the Distinguished” in ’07, “Bush’s 7th Year, Civil War In Iraq “Stay the Course Surge Dirge” “Farewells to the Famous,” Bush’s Eighth Year “Vacuous Victory” Iraq Occupation—Dec. 2011,” George W. Bush Legacy “Dee-zaster” American Second, National Betrayal and “Obama’s First Year—Hope and Change Socialism— Full Speed Ahead $Trillions in Deficits.”

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to Helen Lucille and Mark Matthew Morman, my beloved wife and dedicated son.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Paul Newman, Superb Actor, Race Car Driver, Philanthropist

Chapter 2

Paul Harvey—Pioneer and Unique Radio Broadcaster

Chapter 3

Ed McMahon, Second Banana, Announcer, Pitchman and Television Host

Chapter 4

Farrah Fawcett, Actress, Charlie’s Angel and Cancer Victim

Chapter 5

Michael Jackson, King of Pop

Chapter 6

Walter Cronkite, News Anchor, Most Trusted Man in America

Chapter 7

Edward M. Kennedy, Senator and Liberal’s Liberal

Chapter 8

Merlin Olsen, NFL All Pro—Stellar Human Being

Chapter 9

Fess Parker, Actor, Real Estate Developer and Vintner

Chapter 10

Jaime Escalante, Inspiring Teacher of Math

Chapter 11

John Forsythe, Actor, Dignified, Urbane Gentleman

Chapter 12

Daryl F. Gates, Los Angeles Chief of Police—Cop’s Cop

Chapter 13

Lena Horne Chanteuse, Actress and Activist

Chapter 14

Dennis Hopper, Actor, Writer, Director and Rebel

Chapter 15

John Wooden, Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach

Chapter 16

Robert C. Byrd, Longest Serving Senator in History

Chapter 17

George M. Steinbrenner, Bombastic Owner, New York Yankees

Preface

Chapter 1 describes the life of Paul Newsman, highly successful actor, racecar driver, businessman and philanthropist. He achieved enormous fame and fortune as an Oscar winning actor including many nominations. Paul attributed much of his success to genes that endowed him with good looks, intelligence, physical grace and the enduring ability to play anti-hero roles endearing him to fans.

Newman played in many outstanding pictures including Somebody Up There Likes Me, Cat on a Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and The Color of Money" among others.

He was a successful racecar driver finishing second in LeMans and third at Daytona on his 70th birthday the oldest driver ever to win the event. Paul won several awards in auto racing.

Perhaps equally enduring as a famed actor, Newman will be remembered for his business acumen with Newmans Own that led to donating over $250 million to benefit Westport Country Playhouse, the Scott Newman Center for anti-drug and alcohol education and several Hole-in-the Wall Camps for seriously ill children. Paul Newman, indeed, was a tremendous credit to society in many ways.

The highlights of the unique radio broadcaster, Paul Harvey, are described in Chapter 2. He was a pioneer in radio broadcasting and a news commentator, possessing a pleasing voice and staccato delivery that resonated with millions of listeners for over 50 years. Paul was unique in presenting the news and telling human interest stories with a clever use of appropriate pauses for emphasis and a suspenseful manner of telling the rest of the story.

Paul was a staunch Oklahoma conservative who spent most of his career with ABC Radio Networks in Chicago. At the peak of his career, his listeners totaled more than 24 million. Harvey also wrote a thrice-weekly syndicated column for over 300 newspapers.

Among his many awards, Paul was honored with a niche in the Radio Hall of Fame and President Bush awarded him the American Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Chapter 3 discusses the life of Ed McMahon, former Korean War fighter pilot hero and renowned second top banana of the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. Ed started out as a pitchman and carnie barker and progressed to become spokesman for books, boats and Budweiser—King of Beers, Sara Lee baked goods, Mercedez Benz automobiles, Alpo dog food, Texas Instruments among others.

McMahon co-hosted TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark with both hawking American Family Publishers Sweepstakes. Ed was the host of the talent show, Star Search and The Kraft Music Hour. He also worked on The Tom (Arnold) Show as a friend of the star.

In later years, Ed made a number of bad investments, was in arrears on mortgage payments, fell and broke his neck, but fortunately was allowed to remain in his residence until his demise.

Ed McMahon would be remembered as a big man with a big heart.

The meteoric rise of Farrah Fawcett, actress and pin up favorite is described in Chapter 4. Her career began after being voted "one of the 10 most beautiful woman on the University of Texas Campus at Austin where movie publicist David Mirish saw her photo and recommended a Hollywood film career.

Farrah attained wide fame and acclaim as one of Charlie’s Angeles with long flowing hair, big smile and shapely figure in the character Jill Monroe, crime-fighting female. Jacklyn Smith and Kate Jackson were also part of the crime-fighting trio on Charlie’s Angels. Farrah gained more fame with a stunning poster displaying her charms in a red swimsuit, big smile and flowing locks.

She left Charlie’s Angels after only one year and earned an Emmy for her lead performance in The Burning Bed. Farrah, however, never achieved the popularity in films that she earned in Charlie’s Angels.

Farrah Fawcett had a long-running romance with actor Ryan O’Neal but they never married although they had a son, Redmond now 24 years of age.

She died from rectal cancer and was mourned by son Redmond, her dad, paramour Ryan, long-time friend Alana Stewart, cancer specialist Dr. Piro, many friends and admirers.

Chapter 5 discusses the life of a troubled Michael Jackson, King of Pop, who was denied a normal childhood after being propelled into show business as one of the Jackson Five by his father. Michael became famous at an early age and seemed never able to cope with his blackness and gender identity.

The life of Michael Jackson was seemingly filled with two distinct segments—the first with musical and dancing feats that earned him the name, King of Pop then the second with charges of child molestation and prescribed medical drug addiction that eventually led to his early death. A comeback was in rehearsal that was never to be.

His early life was devoid of normal childhood because his father thrust him into show business as a member of the Jackson 5 where he achieved instant stardom. Later, Michael performed as a single and gained international fame and fortune with such hits as Off the Wall, Thriller, Billy Jean, and more.

In later life, Michael Jackson bought off one child molestation charge and was acquitted on another. He also lived a lavish life filled with excess.

After his acquittal, Michael moved overseas to Bahrain and Ireland before returning to the U. S. He was in rehearsal for a 50-concert gig in London when he died of acute propofol intoxication according to the Los Angeles County Coroner.

Michael Jackson was given an extravagant memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles, then a private service and interment at the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Glendale, California.

Highlights in the life of Walter Cronkite, most prominent news anchor for three decades are described in Chapter 6. Many people considered Cronkite the consummate newsman ever because he focused on the news.

He served as a war correspondent during WWII and reported on the allied invasion of the Netherlands and the Battle of the Bulge.

Walter worked for CBS News for three decades and served as managing director of CBS Evening News for 19 years. He almost tearfully broadcast the assassination of JFB and was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War asserting, stalemate not victory was the only alternative.

Cronkite was on duty broadcasting the landing on the moon and interviewing Sadat and Begin before their historic peace treaty,

Walter became known as the most trusted man in America for his style of broadcasting the news. At the time, however, television was the prime source of news for many Americans. Whether anyone could now become the main source of news in modern times of Ipods, Internet, text messages, radio, talk shows, newspapers and more is probably unlikely.

Chapter 7 describes the ups and downs of Senator Edward M. Ted Kennedy’s life as the youngest son in the Kennedy political dynasty. Not a great deal was expected from Ted because his older brothers were more politically astute according to father, Joseph P.

He suffered immensely from personal family losses including the assassinations of two brothers John F. and Robert F., nephew John John’s tragic fatal airplane crash, son Ted Jr.’s bone cancer and loss of leg, daughter’s successful bout with lung cancer, loss of his parents but functioned admirably as Uncle Teddy to his many nieces, nephews, cousins and other Kennedy relatives.

Ted had his problems with cheating at Harvard University, boozing, carrying on with other women but especially Chappaquiddick. There, he drove his car off a narrow bridge into the water, swam to safety, made no attempt to rescue Mary Jo Kopechne a young campaign worker and didn’t notify authorities for nine hours. Chappaquiddick wound haunt him forever after, forfeiting any possibility or running successfully for the presidency.

In later political life, he became a master politician, superb negotiator without vitriol, an ardent activist for the downtrodden, worked on civil rights legislation, minimum wage increases, stem cell research, Medicare, HIV/AIDS research, education’s No Child Left Behind and the failed comprehensive bill providing amnesty for illegal immigrant lawbreakers with Senator McCain.

He became a fiery orator for liberal causes and the leading Democrat in the Senate. Before he passed away from a brain tumor at age 77, he wrote a letter to the leaders of the Massachusetts legislature asking for a law change allowing the governor to appoint a Democrat replacement senator after his death.

This request had a precedent just the reverse years ago when he requested the legislature to appoint a Democrat senator should John Kerry be elected president. Ever the liberal, politically conniving Ted Kennedy wanted it both ways!

Nevertheless, Senator Kennedy was the reigning Democrat in the Senate and served the liberal cause for 47 years.

The exciting football and television life of Merlin Olsen, all pro in the National Football League and stellar human being is described in Chapter 8. Merlin Olsen was a member of the famed Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams

He was the NFL’s rookie of the year, played in 14 consecutive Pro-Bowl games, inducted in the pro football Hall of fame and voted the 25th greatest football player of all time.

Merlin acted as Jonathan Garvey in Little House on the Prairie for four years and had the lead role in Father Murphy. He also played a blacksmith in The Undefeated, a western starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson.

In the ‘80s, Merlin Olsen analyzed NFL and Rose Bowl games for NBC and pitched commercials for FTD.

Merlin also owned a Porsche Audi dealership in Encino, CA and operated a Travel Agency with Roman Gabriel, former Rams’ quarterback.

Merlin and wife Susan were active with the Children’s Miracle Network and the MS Society of southern California.

A Memorial Service was held at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA. Over 500 people attended including wife Susan, family, friends, NFL Commissioner Goodell and numerous teammates and acquaintances from the Los Angeles Rams and Utah State University. All were lavish in their praise of Merlin as a great football player but even more so as a gentle giant and stellar human being.

Chapter 9 describes the exciting life of Fess Parker—a Texan who portrayed television’s Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. The two roles gave him fame and fortune that he never imagined. Children loved his portrayals.

Fess also played many roles--mostly in adventure films. Among them were Harvey, Mister Roberts, Untamed Frontier, The Dalton Brothers, Them, Old Yeller, Daniel Boone and Frontier Trail Rider his last film. He seemed typecast" to play the rugged, outdoor frontiersman.

After his successes on television and films, Fess retired to the Santa Barbara area and became a real estate developer and wine maker. He built the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort Santa Barbara. His wine-making achievements and awards earned him the title, King of the Wine Frontier.

Fess was also a long-time friend of ex President Ronald W. Reagan and wife Nancy.

More than 1,000 mourners attended his Memorial Service held at the Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara.

Son Eli paid his dad a supreme tribute when toasting, "good man, good father and