National Obituaries

WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) — Sam Nujoma, the fiery freedom fighter who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, and was known as the father of the nation, has died. He was 95.

Longtime NFL player and coach Dick Jauron, who led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and was voted AP coach of the year in 2001, died Saturday. He was 74.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Roberts, a versatile, Tony Award-nominated theater performer at home in both plays and musicals and who appeared in several Woody Allen movies — often as Allen's best friend — has died. He was 85.

HONOLULU (AP) — Jim Becker, a world-traveling journalist who covered Jackie Robinson’s big-league baseball debut and the U.S. Army’s retaking of Seoul during the Korean War, died Friday. He was 98.

NEW YORK (AP) — Reid G.

Howard Twilley, a key receiver for the Miami Dolphins during the team's perfect 1972 season and a Heisman Trophy runner-up at the University of Tulsa, has died. He was 81.

NEW YORK (AP) — Irv Gotti, the boisterous, smiley music mogul who founded Murder Inc. Records and was behind major hip-hop and R&B artists, has died. He was 54. Def Jam Recordings, which was the parent company of Murder Inc.

Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102. McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Mark Allen, who had been Illinois’ pitching coach for the last five seasons, has died. He was 49. Illinois said in a statement Thursday that Allen died Wednesday, according to his family.