January 1, 2015

2015Ulrich Beck, German sociologist (born 1944)^[†]

Ulrich Beck was a German sociologist, and one of the most cited social scientists in the world during his lifetime. His work focused on questions of uncontrollability, ignorance and uncertainty in the modern age, and he coined the terms "risk society" and "second modernity" or "reflexive modernization". He also tried to overturn national perspectives that predominated in sociological investigations with a cosmopolitanism that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the modern world. He was a professor at the University of Munich and also held appointments at the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH) in Paris, and at the London School of Economics.

2015Mario Cuomo, American lawyer and politician, 52nd Governor of New York (born 1932)^[†]

Mario Matthew Cuomo was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 52nd governor of New York for three terms, from 1983 to 1994. A member of the Democratic Party, Cuomo previously served as the lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 and the secretary of state of New York from 1975 to 1978. He was the father of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and NewsNation anchor Christopher Cuomo.

2015Donna Douglas, American actress (born 1932)^[†]

Donna Douglas was an American actress and singer, known for her role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Following her acting career, Douglas became a real estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author of books for children and adults.

2015Omar Karami, Lebanese lawyer and politician, 58th Prime Minister of Lebanon (born 1934)^[†]

Omar Abdul Hamid Karami was the 29th prime minister of Lebanon for two non-consecutive terms. He was Prime Minister for the first time from 24 December 1990, when Selim al-Hoss gave up power, until May 1992, when he resigned due to economic instability. He was again Prime Minister from October 2004 to April 2005.

2015Boris Morukov, Russian physician and astronaut (born 1950)^[†]

Boris Vladimirovich Morukov was a Russian physician at the State Research Center RF-Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP). He trained with the Russian Federal Space Agency as a research-cosmonaut and flew aboard NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-106 as a mission specialist.

2015William Lloyd Standish, United States District Judge (born 1930)^[†]

William Lloyd Standish IV was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.