What Happened This Year 2001

People Who Died in 2001

Harvey Martin

American football defensive end, Super Bowl MVP
Born
November 16th, 1950 74 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 51 years old

Played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) primarily for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973 to 1983. Contributed significantly to the Cowboys' success during a dominant era, culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Earned Super Bowl XII MVP honors for performance in the championship game against the Denver Broncos. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, recognizing contributions to professional football.

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John C. Lilly

Psychoanalyst and dolphin communication researcher
Born
January 6th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 86 years old

A psychoanalyst, physician, and philosopher significantly contributed to the study of consciousness and interspecies communication. Developed the sensory deprivation tank to explore altered states of consciousness. Conducted groundbreaking research into dolphin communication, advocating for the ethical treatment of marine mammals. Wrote several influential books encompassing topics of psychology, consciousness, and the mind-body connection.

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Joseph Cyril Bamford

Businessman, founder of J.C. Bamford
Born
June 21st, 1916 108 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 85 years old

Founded J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited in 1945, which became a leading manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Pioneered the use of backhoe loaders, and his company contributed significantly to innovations in earthmoving machinery. Under leadership, the company expanded globally, establishing a strong presence in several countries. Received multiple awards for contributions to the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

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Hans Trippel

Engineer, developer of Amphicar
Born
July 19th, 1908 116 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 93 years old

An engineer who contributed significantly to automotive and marine engineering. Developed the Amphicar, the first amphibious automobile to be mass-produced. This vehicle gained attention for its dual capability on land and water, combining automotive design with boat construction. The Amphicar became a symbol of innovative engineering in the 1960s and remains a distinctive example of multi-use vehicles. The design and engineering challenges faced during its development provided valuable insights into both industries.

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Bert Sutcliffe

New Zealand cricketer and coach
Born
November 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 78 years old

Represented New Zealand in international cricket from 1948 to 1966. Played as an opening batsman and completed 42 Test matches. Accumulated over 3,000 runs in Test cricket, with 12 centuries. Served as a coach for the national team in the following decades, contributing to the development of cricket in New Zealand.

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Harold Land

American tenor saxophonist
Born
December 18th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 73 years old

A prominent tenor saxophonist actively recorded and performed in the jazz genre. Emerged in the 1950s and collaborated with various notable jazz musicians. Contributed significantly to the hard bop movement and had a notable association with the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. Released multiple albums as a bandleader, showcasing distinctive improvisational skills and compositions. Continued to perform until the late 1990s, influencing a generation of musicians.

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Robert Leckie

American soldier and author of war stories
Born
December 18th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 81 years old

Served as a United States Marine during World War II, participating in major battles in the Pacific theater. Wrote extensively about military experiences and history, with notable works including 'Helmet for My Pillow' and 'The Old Breed'. His writings provide firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by soldiers in combat. Contributed to the popular understanding of Marine Corps history and culture through detailed depictions of wartime experiences.

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Salem al-Hazmi

Terrorist and hijacker of Flight 77
Born
February 2nd, 1981 44 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 20 years old

Born in Saudi Arabia in 1981, engaged in the September 11 attacks. Hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, which was crashed into the Pentagon. Coordinated with other hijackers as part of a larger group involved in planned attacks on U.S. soil. Operated under the directive of terrorist organizations with goals to incite fear and promote their ideology.

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Iannis Xenakis

Composer and music theorist, 'Metastasis'
Born
May 29th, 1922 102 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 79 years old

Born in Greece and later residing in France, a significant figure in the field of contemporary classical music. Contributions to music included the development of new forms of notation and the integration of architectural concepts into musical composition. Engaged in both music and mathematics, merging rigorous mathematical structures with avant-garde musical techniques. Xenakis also worked as an engineer and was involved in the design of music for large-scale audiovisual performances, merging sound with visual elements. His works challenged traditional frameworks of composition, opening pathways for future generations of composers.

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