Obituary Book Celebrates Life

Sun., Jan. 18, 1998

Marv Kelley Detroit Free Press

“The Last Word: The New York Times Book of Obituaries and Farewells” edited by Marvin Siegel (William Morro, 426 pages, $25)

So what does it take to make it to the New York Times obituary page?

Besides the obvious, being well-known helps. But fame almost seems incidental to getting a well-crafted goodbye. In a way, how ordinary folks carved a niche makes for the best reading in this collection of 98 obituaries from what is arguably the best place to be told farewell.

This isn’t a sad book because the writers handle each obituary with a deftness that makes us want to celebrate the deceased’s life, not mourn his or her death. Inventors are here. So are philanthropists. Even an aviation screw-up.

How can you get depressed reading about the guy who invented Kitty Litter, Michigander Edward Lowe? Do you think the football huddle was always part of the game? Think again. Or better yet, read why coach Herb McCracken came up with the idea. In 1924, the Lafayette College coach thought the University of Pennsylvania team had decoded the hand signals he was using to send plays in to his players, so he ordered them to have a meeting on the field and whisper about what the next play would be.

Perhaps you forget the origins of Superman? He was Jerry Siegel’s idea. Unfortunately, Siegel and his partner, Joe Shuster, did not foresee that the caped crusader would turn into a billion-dollar success; they sold the rights to DC Comics for a measly $130 and spent the rest of their lives just getting by.

It’s hard to find fault with this collection, though six farewells for 7-year-old pilot Jessica Dubroff is a good place to start.

But even that’s forgivable with this can’t-miss book. Let’s hope a sequel is as certain as death and taxes.

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