What Happened This Year 2014

People Who Died in 2014

Maria Franziska von Trapp

Austrian-American singer of 'The Sound of Music'
Born
September 28th, 1914 110 years ago
Died
February 18th, 2014 11 years ago — 99 years old

Raised in Austria, performed with a family choir, which inspired the musical 'The Sound of Music'. Relocated to the United States following World War II, where continued performances and contributed to the family's legacy in music. The Trapp Family Singers toured extensively, showcasing their traditional folk music. Authored a memoir detailing the family's experiences during and after the war, further solidifying their place in musical history. Remained active in music and community until later years.

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Kresten Bjerre

Danish footballer and manager
Born
February 22nd, 1946 79 years ago
Died
February 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 67 years old

Played as a forward in Danish football, primarily for B 1903, and later transitioned into management. Managed several clubs, while also contributing to youth development in the sport. Achieved recognition for his coaching skills and leadership within the teams he managed after his playing career.

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Dale Gardner

American astronaut and mission commander
Born
November 8th, 1948 76 years ago
Died
February 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 65 years old

An American captain and astronaut, played a crucial role in space exploration during the 1980s. Flew on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-7 in 1983 and STS-51G in 1985, participating in satellite deployment and scientific experiments. Served in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot before joining NASA. Contributed to the development and testing of new technologies for space missions. Upon retiring from NASA, worked in various engineering and management roles in the aerospace industry.

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Valeri Kubasov

Russian engineer and astronaut with a Soyuz mission.
Born
1935 90 years ago
Died
February 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 79 years old

An engineer and astronaut, he participated in multiple space missions throughout his career. Made contributions to the Soviet space program and was a crew member on the Soyuz 36 and Soyuz 37 missions. Conducted scientific experiments aboard the Salyut space stations and spent over 10 days in space during various missions. Worked as a test pilot and contributed to the development of aeronautics and spaceflight technology in Russia.

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Rafael Addiego Bruno

Uruguayan politician, President of Uruguay
Born
February 23rd, 1923 102 years ago
Died
February 20th, 2014 11 years ago — 90 years old

Served as President of Uruguay from 1985 to 1986. Participated in the return to democratic rule following years of military dictatorship. Contributed to the establishment of political stability and representation in the country during a transitional period. Held various other political positions throughout a lengthy career in public service, which focused on legal and political reform in Uruguay.

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Garrick Utley

American journalist and news anchor
Born
1939 86 years ago
Died
February 20th, 2014 11 years ago — 75 years old

Started a career in journalism in the 1960s, contributing to significant news outlets. Served as a foreign correspondent for NBC News during crucial global events like the Vietnam War. Anchored weekend editions of NBC Nightly News and played a pivotal role in the launch of CNN in 1980. Later, worked with PBS and contributed to various news programs, offering insights on international relations and media ethics. Continued to engage in journalism until retirement, influencing generations of news reporting.

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Walter D. Ehlers

American lieutenant, Medal of Honor recipient
Born
1921 104 years ago
Died
February 20th, 2014 11 years ago — 93 years old

Served as a U.S. Army lieutenant during World War II. Participated in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of Normandy. Awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat. Ehlers' actions during the war demonstrated significant bravery and leadership under fire, contributing to the success of his unit during critical missions.

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Matthew Robinson

Australian Snowboarder and Competitor
Born
October 24th, 1985 39 years ago
Died
February 21st, 2014 11 years ago — 28 years old

Competed in snowboarding events, showcasing talents in various international competitions. Achieved significant recognition within the snowboarding community. Participated in the Winter X Games and the FIS World Cup events. Contributed to the growth of snowboarding in Australia through competitive achievements and public appearances.

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Héctor Maestri

Baseball player, played for multiple teams
Born
1935 90 years ago
Died
February 21st, 2014 11 years ago — 79 years old

A Cuban-American baseball player played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Making his debut in 1961, played for teams including the Washington Senators and the Kansas City Athletics. The player had a career marked by appearances in an era of competitive baseball.

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