Obituaries - Feb. 6, 1999

Richard F. Baker; Electron Microscope Pioneer

Richard F. Baker, 88, emeritus professor of microbiology at the USC School of Medicine who was a pioneer in the use of the electron microscope. Baker was trained as a physicist and earned a doctorate from the University of Rochester. He joined the newly created Department of Experimental Medicine on his arrival at USC in 1947. With anatomist Daniel Pease, Baker devised a way to slice tissue into sections 10 times thinner than had been possible. His novel use of fixatives provided the foundation for the modern methods of preparing tissue for viewing under the electron microscope. These advances enabled Baker to be the first to visualize the chromosomes of the fruit fly, the detailed structure of a bacterium and liver and kidney tissue. He is survived by his wife, Yunita; daughter Amelia; stepdaughter Nancy Ross and her husband Trent; stepson William L. McCleese and his wife Judy; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel today at 1 p.m. On Saturday in San Marino.

Neville Bonner; Aborigine Politician

Neville Bonner, 76, the first Aborigine elected to Australia’s federal Parliament. Bonner, a diminutive man with a thick, white shock of swept-back curls, became one of Australia’s highest-profile Aborigines and an important influence on aboriginal issues during a time of conservative government. Individualistic and enigmatic, Bonner was taught the ancient traditions of his Jagera clan as a boy and endured racism and prejudice at school and as a stockman. But he joined Australia’s mainstream conservative party and, after being appointed to the Senate in 1971 representing Queensland, became the first of his race to be elected to parliament the next year. He became a consistent advocate of aboriginal land rights and a critic of assimilationist policies, positions that often put him at odds with his own colleagues. In 1997, Bonner let it be known he had terminal cancer. Headstrong to the last, he said he would not be seeking further treatment--nor would he be giving up smoking. In July, he buried his 53-year-old son, who had been fighting bone cancer. Prime Minister John Howard said Bonner would be given a state funeral. On Friday in Brisbane of cancer.

Herbert Klynn; Animation Producer

Herbert Klynn, 81, an animation producer and graphic designer who helped create several award-winning motion picture cartoon shorts, including Mr. Magoo, Gerald McBoing-Boing, Madeline and Christopher Crumpet. Born in Cleveland, Klynn came to Los Angeles during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, working as an animation director for its motion picture unit. In 1959, he founded Format Productions, which over 23 years created more than 1,000 productions. As a graphic designer, he created the opening for the “I Spy” TV series, which starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby in the late 1960s. Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park on Forest Lawn Drive. On Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Jacob Reingold; Helped Start Grandparents Day

Jacob Reingold, 83, a leader in caring for the elderly who is also credited with laying the groundwork for the national observance of Grandparents Day. Reingold, who attended the first White House Conference on Aging in 1961, sought a national observance of the role that grandparents play in American society. His efforts resulted in Grandparents Day, which is celebrated in September. For 37 years, Reingold was executive vice president of the Hebrew Home for the Aged in the Bronx area of New York City, which serves more than 2,000 elderly people in residential and outpatient programs. Commenting on the elderly, he told a reporter: “We forget that these people carry wisdom that many young people could benefit from.” On Thursday at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.