DICK VAN ARSDALE DECEMBER 16 When NBA basketball came to Phoenix, so did Dick Van Arsdale, who died this December at 81. The Indiana University product was three years into his profes- sional career when the Suns selected him in the 1968 expansion draft, making the 6-foot-5 shooting guard the “Original Sun.” “We couldn’t find a better player on or off the floor to build our team,” team archi- tect Jerry Colangelo told the Arizona Republic in 1970. “If I could field five Vans, what I’d lack in height and rebounding, I’d offset with fight and desire.” Van Arsdale went on to star with the Suns for nine seasons, making three consecutive All-Star appearances and leading the franchise to its first NBA Finals berth in 1976. In his last season as a player, he got to play alongside his twin brother, Tom, with whom he’d played in high school and in college. Van Arsdale retired from playing in 1977, but he didn’t leave the Suns. He instead took up the headset, serving as a color commentator on Suns broadcasts. In 1987, the Suns asked him to fill in as head coach after firing John MacLeod. After that, Van Arsdale joined the front office. The Suns retired Van Arsdale’s No. 5 after he hung up his sneakers, and he became part of the inaugural class inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 1999. In 2005, after suffering a stroke that nearly killed him, Van Arsdale turned to art, opening a studio in Old Town Scottsdale with his brother. – Zach Buchanan RICHARD DE URIARTE SEPTEMBER 23 A beloved longtime member of the Arizona Republic’s editorial board, de Uriarte died in September at 77. He had been on hospice care after complications from a medical procedure the month prior. Born in Darby, Penn., and growing up outside of Philadelphia, de Uriarte came to call Phoenix his home in 1979. In his early 30s, he moved to the Valley to join the Phoenix Gazette, where he covered poli- tics and wrote editorials. He was also a member of the Republic’s editorial board for nearly two decades after the staff of the two papers merged in 1995. “The important people of this city knew Richard, and they loved him,” The Republic’s editorial board wrote about de Uriarte after his death. “We knew him as ‘the conscience’ of the board. He was that fist that pounded the table — not in anger, but with passion — when important concerns of real people in this Valley were being ignored in our debates.” Later, de Uriarte would take a buyout and serve as the manager of communica- tions for Maricopa County from 2008 to 2015. And just like in his previous positions, he was beloved. Phoenix New Times awarded de Uriarte “Best Public Information Officer” in 2009. He served in various roles in Phoenix’s media and government sector for 44 years. And after his death, sadness and love poured in for de Uriarte on social media. “I had the honor of working with Richard when I was a reporter,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes wrote. “He was a wonderful mentor and friend. Sending my love to his family.” “Richard de Uriarte was so good to me when I moved to PHX 25 years ago, because that’s the way he was,” 12News Reporter Brahm Resnik wrote. “He touched so many lives. Truly a blessing for all of us.” “No matter the topic, you could feel the passion in each of his words, and I will always admire his commitment to speaking up for those who couldn’t,” Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote. – Morgan Fischer MIKE “BAM BAM” SVERSVOLD MAY 11 There’s a saying: “Old punks never die, they just stand in the back.” We wish it were true. But the Phoenix music community lost a legend this year when drummer Michael “Bam Bam” Sversvold died on May 11 at just 57 years old after a long-term battle with an autoimmune disease. Sversvold — who was a member of seminal punk group Jody Foster’s Army, as well as Rabid Rabbit, The Harvest, Medieval Knievels, Project Terror and many other outfits — was known in the scene as both a stunning talent and a genuinely nice guy. That’s why friends and fellow musicians packed The Rhythm Room for a tribute show in July. JFA performed an acoustic set, and other bands Sversvold either was a member of or influenced took to the stage to share memories, rock out and pay their respects to the late, great figure of the Phoenix music scene. We like to think Bam was there in spirit — standing in the back. — Jennifer Goldberg BOBOO THE LION JUNE 2024 For many, Boboo the Lion was the main attraction at the Phoenix Zoo, where he wowed visitors with his massive size, loud roars and, eventually, a pair of cubs. Boboo (pronounced Bah-boo) came to the Phoenix Zoo in 2019 from the Columbus Zoo. For years, he remained the favorite animal for many families. Most notably, Baboo fathered two cubs with the zoo’s female lion, Zuri. The cubs, who were born at the zoo on June 3, are the first African lions to be born at the zoo since 1976. Boboo was humanely euthanized after an aggressive cancer attacked his kidneys and spleen. He had been in great health in May after his annual exam, the zoo said, meaning his disease had spread rapidly and without warning. The zoo said he’d suffered rapid weight loss and lost interest in food. “The Zoo will definitely be quieter without his familiar roars and calls,” the zoo said in a release. “We are comforted that he became a part of his own pride this year and his legacy will live on.” Beyond his legacy, the beloved features of the large cat will live on at the Phoenix Zoo through his cubs. — Itzia Crespo The Departed from p 14
