Levi-Strauss' theories altered anthropology

Paris -- Claude Levi-Strauss, widely considered the father of modern anthropology for work that included theories about commonalities between tribal and industrial societies, has died. He was 100. - 11/04/2009

Joseph J. Heister, Birmingham

Engineer motivated by deep love of sports

Whether he was coaching his children's teams, playing hockey and softball or following the Detroit Red Wings, Joe Heister loved being involved in sports. - 11/03/2009

Bill Hoover Sr., Grosse Pointe

Bill Hoover Sr.: Grosse Pointe teacher had personal touch

Grosse Pointe --Mechanical things fascinated Bill Hoover Sr., but respect for people guided him as a teacher at Grosse Pointe South High School. Mr. Hoover, who died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at his Grosse Pointe Woods home, used to say, "There is no system to replace individual attention." - 11/02/2009

Timothy J. Doyle, Sylvan Lake

Sports advocate coached kids

Tim Doyle was so dedicated to overseeing parks and recreation for Independence Township, he got directly involved. "He taught kids swimming lessons and coached Little League," said his brother, Brian Doyle. "Anything he could to make the kids have a better experience, that's what he was about." - 11/02/2009

Fred Marx, of Marx Layne public relations firm, dies at 67

Farmington Hills -- Fred Marx, co-founding partner of the Marx Layne & Co. public relations and marketing firm, died Sunday of heart failure in his home, the company said. - 11/01/2009

Leonard Haggerty, Roseville

Politician loved public service

Whether serving as a mayor, city councilman, or a Macomb County commissioner, Leonard Haggerty considered the residents he worked for. - 10/28/2009

John G. Dudash, Beverly Hills

Engineer loved to explore

Years after he left his engineering job at Ford Motor Co., John Dudash kept a mechanical mind -- building model ships, deconstructing flashlights and trying to assemble computers. - 10/27/2009

Joseph L. Hansknecht, Southfield

Banker, rights activist put family first

Of Joseph L. Hansknecht's accomplishments, including being a presidential appointee and having a career dedicated to consumer issues and civil rights, family was the most important. - 10/26/2009

Character actor Lou Jacobi dies in NYC at 95

New York -- Actor Lou Jacobi, who was known for comic roles and won praise in dramatic ones over a long career in the theater and movies, has died. He was 95. - 10/26/2009

Adolph Polak, Harper Woods

Die maker loved the kitchen and garden

Throughout the growing season, Adolph Polak was usually in his yard -- tending tomatoes, manicuring his bentgrass and watering "hybrid" roses he produced using a branch-grafting method. - 10/23/2009

Detroit comedian Soupy Sales dies at 83

Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83. - 10/22/2009

L. Pauline Jose, Ann Arbor

Homemaker loved sharing skills

Combining her favorite activities, Pauline Jose loved gathering her relatives to teach them how to bake cookies and knit mittens. - 10/22/2009

Former L.A. Times journalist Jack Nelson dies at 80

Washington -- Jack Nelson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter who covered the civil rights movement and the Watergate scandal for the Los Angeles Times and was the paper's Washington bureau chief for 20 years, died Wednesday. He was 80. - 10/21/2009

William Steffy, Royal Oak

Chemist a 'Renaissance man'

Bill Steffy had so many interests, he could garden, build shelves, discuss politics, create cleaning solutions and even sled through his neighborhood with a Siberian husky on wintry days. - 10/21/2009

Thomas C. Palid, Mason, Mich.

Teacher driven to learn, embrace life

Tom Palid lived with challenges related to his physical disability with an upbeat spirit and a desire to learn. "He was just so enthusiastic," said his brother, Mark. "He had a fantastic attitude." - 10/19/2009

Bob Davis, Marquette

Legislator was champion for northern Michigan

Detroit -- Former U.S. Rep. Bob Davis, an ex-funeral home owner who represented northern lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula for seven terms in Congress, died Friday. He was 77. - 10/17/2009

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Davis of Michigan dies at 77

Detroit -- Former U.S. Rep. Bob Davis, an ex-funeral home owner who represented northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula for seven terms in Congress, died Friday. He was 77. - 10/16/2009

Genevieve Conley, Grosse Pointe Woods

Retired teacher liked sports, theater

Throughout her nearly 40 years of teaching, Genevieve Conley strived to engage her students. - 10/15/2009

Mary B. Davis, Harper Woods

Detroit City Hall secretary's helpful attitude made impact

As a secretary in Detroit's City Hall offices, Mary Davis drew on her years of experience there to help people who called with requests. - 10/14/2009