Why not FDR?

     He didn't leave his name, but he said the Star-Telegram contained a terrible oversight on Saturday, April 12: "You didn't say in that 'Notable Death' listing that on this day in 1945, President Roosevelt died. He was one of the most important men in history, and you ignored him. Those of us who remember him want to know why you ignored him."

     As designed, the item can list only one death. The editor who selects the notable decedant makes a purely subjective call, tries to select someone who'll draw the most interest here in 2008 and decided to list Sugar Ray Robinson.

     Right call? Wrong call? It would've been an excellent call, given FDR's stature among many of our senior readers. And that's why it was a terrible call as far as the reader was concerned. "I remember FDR," he said, "and the day he died. It was horrible. Hearts were broken everywhere." His was the only complaint, which indicates a good call on the editor's part.

     There were a few other famous people who died on April 12: Clara Barton, Joe Louis and Abbie Hoffman, for instance. All worthy of note along with FDR. Which would you have noted?

     -- David House