Deaths of Note (they come in 3’s)

Robert Nett (1922 – 2008)
Colonel Nett (ret.) was a U.S. Army Officer and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in during the campaign to recapture the Philippians in World War II. With his passing, there remains only 99 living recipients of this highest of honors.






Gene Hickerson (1935 – 2008)
The Legendary Cleveland Browns Guard and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2007) Gene Hickerson passed away today ending a long fight with Alzheimer’s and failing health. While Pops recalls his tough nosed play, got to know him through his restaurant – Gene Hickerson’s at the Hanna. They served a great steak and the service was always impeccable.





Frank ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal (1929 – 2008)
Sports handicapping pioneer Frank Rosenthal passed away in Miami Beach, FL. His story was the inspiration for the movie Casino and the character Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein played by Robert DeNiro. Lefty secretly ran four casino’s in Las Vegas for the family back in Chicago. One of them – The Stardust – was the last of the great casino and was a favorite place to play for FLOTUS and I on our trip nearly 12 years ago. I shed a tear when it was imploded.