Passing On: Some Lives That Left Their Mark on L.A.

Here is a list of noteworthy passings in 1997 of people who lived or worked part of their lives in the Los Angeles area.

Helen Bernstein, former head of the Los Angeles teachers union and a major force in education reform.

Dorothy Buffum Chandler, matriarch of the Los Angeles Times whose willpower built the Music Center, giving the region a new cultural focus.

John Denver, the earnest “country boy” singer who conquered the popular music charts in the 1970s.

Charles Dederich Sr., the founder of Synanon who was praised for his drug and alcohol rehabilitation results but later reviled for alleged mind control and violence.

Lillian Bounds Disney, who gave Mickey Mouse his name and gave the initial financial support for the yet-to-be-built Walt Disney Concert Hall to honor her late husband.

Kenneth Hahn, the former Los Angeles County supervisor who was the undisputed master of pothole politics and a beloved shaper of the Los Angeles region.

Sheldon Leonard, who played movie gangsters and produced such TV hits as “The Andy Griffith Show” and “I Spy.”

Burgess Meredith, who displayed his versatile acting skills in productions ranging from Shakespeare to “Rocky.”

Robert Mitchum, filmdom’s sleepy-eyed rebel who was the perfect noir hero and a tough guy with secret romance in his soul.

Henry Salvatori, an Italian immigrant who became a confidant and major contributor to powerful Republicans, especially President Ronald Reagan.

Red Skelton, the rubber-faced clown who charmed his way across stage, radio, film and television with such characters as Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader.

Dawn Steel, the former president of Columbia Pictures who was the movie industry’s first female studio chief.

James Stewart, the gangling Everyman of American movies and star of such films as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Philadelphia Story,” “Harvey,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and “Rear Window.”

Brandon Tartikoff, the former president of NBC Entertainment who guided some of television’s most enduring programs.

Dr. Norman Topping, former president of USC who was credited with making the university a world-class educational and research institution.

Kenneth Thomas, publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Sentinel--the largest African American-owned newspaper in the West.