Sharpe James, Revitalizing Newark Mayor Convicted of Corruption, Dies at 89

He presided over a rebirth of Newark?s downtown but was found guilty after leaving office of conspiring to sell city-owned properties to a former companion for a fraction of their value.

Robert Shapiro, Who Made NutraSweet a Household Name, Dies at 86

His promotion of the sugar substitute was a success. But later, as head of Monsanto, he faced blowback after the company rushed into genetically altered products.

William H. Luers, Diplomat Who Backed Czech Dissident Leader, Dies at 95

His longtime career in the Foreign Service included protecting Vaclav Havel, the writer and dissident who became the first president of the Czech Republic.

Sabu, Pro Wrestler and ?Hardcore? Pioneer, Dies at 60

Mr. Brunk rose to fame with the Extreme Championship Wrestling Circuit, pioneering a wrestling style that made use of props like tables and chairs.

Johnny Rodriguez, Country Music Star, Dies at 73

The first popular Mexican American country artist, he was best known for the 1970s hits ?I Just Can?t Get Her Out of My Mind? and ?Ridin? My Thumb to Mexico.?

Koyo Kouoh, Prominent Art World Figure, Is Dead at 57

Ms. Kouoh had recently been named to oversee next year?s Venice Biennale. She died just days before she was scheduled to announce its theme and title.

Margot Friedländer, Holocaust Survivor Who Found Her Voice, Dies at 103

She never spoke of her experience until after her husband?s death, when she returned to Berlin with a mission to tell her story, and to teach tolerance.

William L. Porter, Designer of Classic American Cars, Dies at 93

As a senior designer at G.M., he helped create the exuberant, elongated shape of 1960s and ?70s cars like the Pontiac GTO, the Bonneville and the Trans Am.

George Lee, Trailblazing Chinese Ballet Dancer, Dies at 90

He is believed to have been the first Asian to dance with New York City Ballet when he was cast in George Balanchine?s production of ?The Nutcracker.?

Stardom in the Ring, but an Early Death for Wrestlers Like Sabu

The causes are varied, but many well-known wrestlers have died young.

J.C. Snead, Golfing Nephew of His Uncle Sam, Dies at 84

He knew he could never match the success of the great Sam Snead, but he won eight tournaments on the PGA Tour and four more on the senior circuit.

Jack Katz, Pioneer of the Graphic Novel, Is Dead at 97

Hailed as a visionary (if a difficult one), he drew inspiration for his multivolume work ?The First Kingdom? from no less a model than Homer.

Robert A.G. Monks, Crusader Against ?Imperial? C.E.O.s, Dies at 91

A descendant of American wealth, he used his success in business to push for social responsibility in corporate leadership and encouraged shareholders to push back.

David Souter, Supreme Court Justice Who Allied With the Left, Dies at 85

He left conservatives bitterly disappointed with his migration from right to left, leading to the cry of ?no more Souters.?

David H. Souter: The Pillars of Power and the Pull of New Hampshire

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, recalls how the justice openly despised the pomp of Washington and longed to return to his home.

James Foley, 71, Dies; Directed ?Glengarry Glen Ross? and ?House of Cards?

A veteran New York City-born filmmaker, he also directed the sequels to ?Fifty Shades of Grey.?

Joseph Nye, Political Scientist Who Extolled ?Soft Power,? Dies at 88

He coined the term, arguing that a country?s global influence can?t be built on military might alone. Diplomats around the world paid heed.

Kenneth Walker, 73, Journalist Who Bared Apartheid?s Brutality

He shared an Emmy for his reporting on ?Nightline? about South Africa?s policy of racial segregation. The National Association of Black Journalists named him journalist of the year.

Clarence O. Smith, a Founder of Essence Magazine, Is Dead at 92

As president, he helped persuade companies like Estée Lauder and Ford to advertise in the pages of the first mass-circulation magazine directed at Black women.

Jim Dent, Long-Driving Golfer, Dies at 85

Honing his skills on segregated courses, he became one of the few Black golfers in the pro ranks, following the lead of Charlie Sifford, Pete Brown and Lee Elder.

Lulu Roman, Who Brought Big-Hearted Sass to ?Hee Haw,? Is Dead at 78

Obesity was a source of trauma for her, but also of her comedy, which she showcased, along with gospel singing, on the long-running down-home variety show.

Philip Sunshine, 94, Dies; Physician Who Pioneered Treatment of Premature Babies

A founder of neonatology, he helped revolutionize the care of preterm and critically ill newborns. ?We were able to keep babies alive that would not have survived,? he said.

Copyright New York Times