What Happened This Year 1962

Born in 1962

Hillel Slovak

Guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
June 25th, 1988 37 years ago — 26 years old

Born in Israel and later moving to the United States, contributed to the establishment of the funk rock genre. Played guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, becoming an integral part of their sound during the 1980s. His style influenced the band's early work, blending rock, punk, and funk elements. Released two albums with the band, 'The Red Hot Chili Peppers' (1984) and 'Freaky Styley' (1985). Passed away in 1988, leaving a legacy in music and influencing future generations of guitarists.

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Csaba Kesjár

Hungarian race car driver, Le Mans participant
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
June 24th, 1988 37 years ago — 26 years old

A prominent race car driver from Hungary, participated in various racing competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Competed in several disciplines within motorsport, showcasing skills in endurance racing. Kesjár contributed to the development of motorsport in Hungary during the late 20th century. His career included notable achievements in both national and international races, making a mark in the racing community.

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Nadarajah Raviraj

Sri Lankan lawyer and politician
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
November 10th, 2006 18 years ago — 44 years old

A prominent lawyer and politician, he served as a member of parliament in Sri Lanka. Involved in regional politics, he represented the Jaffna District and was a vocal advocate for the rights of Tamils in the country. He worked to address issues faced by the Tamil community during a time of civil unrest. His tenure in parliament was marked by efforts to negotiate peace during the Sri Lankan Civil War.

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Isabel Cristina Mrad Campos

Brazilian student honored by Catholicism
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
September 1st, 1982 42 years ago — 20 years old

A Brazilian student gained recognition within the Catholic community for her dedication to faith and service. Her life was marked by a strong commitment to social values and education. Despite her young age, her efforts left a lasting impression on those around her. Tragic circumstances surrounded her life, ultimately leading to her untimely death.

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Darrel Akerfelds

Baseball player and coach for Mariners
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
June 24th, 2012 13 years ago — 50 years old

Played professional baseball as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners from 1980 to 1982. Transitioned into coaching and served as a pitching coach for various minor league teams and organizations. Contributed to the development of numerous players throughout a coaching career spanning several decades. Worked primarily with young pitchers, focusing on skill development and strategy in the game.

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John T. Riedl

Computer Scientist and Academic
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
July 15th, 2013 12 years ago — 51 years old

Contributed significantly to the fields of computer science and human-computer interaction. Riedl held a faculty position at the University of Minnesota and conducted extensive research on collaborative filtering and recommender systems. His work laid the foundation for many algorithms used in modern online recommendation services and e-commerce. Published numerous papers throughout his career, advancing the understanding of user preferences and social information filtering. Participated in various academic conferences and shared insights on the future of technology in education and digital media.

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Dean Carroll

Rugby player for England and Leeds Rhinos
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
May 24th, 2015 10 years ago — 53 years old

Played rugby league in the professional ranks, primarily with Leeds Rhinos. Contributed significantly to the team during his career, helping to secure multiple championships. After retirement, remained involved in rugby through coaching and mentorship roles.

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Michael Houser

Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
August 10th, 2002 22 years ago — 40 years old

Michael Houser was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best recognized as a member of the band Widespread Panic. The band gained popularity in the southern rock and jam band scenes. Through extensive touring, Widespread Panic built a dedicated fanbase and became known for their live performances and improvisational style. Houser's guitar work contributed to the band's distinctive sound. He was involved with Widespread Panic from its formation in 1986 until his death in 2002 due to pancreatic cancer.

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Phil Katz

Computer programmer, co-created ZIP format
Born
1962 63 years ago
Died
April 14th, 2000 25 years ago — 38 years old

A computer programmer contributed to file compression technology by developing the ZIP file format. Established a software company that marketed the format under the name PKWARE. The format became widely adopted for its efficiency and ease of use, facilitating file transfers and storage. Developed other compression tools, enhancing the software's utility and compatibility with various platforms. His innovations played a significant role in the evolution of data compression.

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