Notables with ties to Nevada who died in 2012

The unexpected death of politician Bill Raggio in February began a long year of goodbyes to many who represented, supported and championed the state of Nevada. Local icons such as John Fredericks and Monsignor Pat Leary were among the notables who died this year.

Bill Raggio served a record 38 years as a state senator, and acted as Republican majority leader for 10 legislative sessions. Raggio was revered as the face of Nevada politics and a native Nevadan. Born in Reno, he was a deputy district attorney in Washoe County before being elected as district attorney for 12 years. He retired from the Senate on Jan. 15, 2011, a little more than a year before his death on Feb. 25. Raggio died while vacationing with his wife in Sydney, Australia. He was 85.

Dallas Augustine, daughter of Nevada state lawmaker Kathy Augustine who was murdered by her husband, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing her spouse, Jessie McCaskill, on Aug. 28. Dallas ran for Assembly District 12, but lost to incumbent James Ohrenschall by more than 6,000 votes in 2008. Her mother served one term in the Assembly, two terms as state senator and two as state controller. In 2004, she became the first Nevada public official to be impeached and convicted for using office equipment to further her 2002 campaign. Dallas was 32.

Ralph Conti, a Henderson pediatrician awaiting sentencing on fraud convictions, died Dec. 16 during a neck operation at Desert Springs Hospital and Medical Center. Conti was convicted of defrauding chronically ill patients through an experimental stem cell procedure. He had practiced medicine in Las Vegas since 1990, and could have faced up to 20 years in prison with maximum fines of $250,000 on each fraud count.

Ralph Lloyd Denton was remembered for the unrelenting civil rights battles he fought as a Las Vegas attorney. He was an attorney for more than 60 years and served as a Clark County commissioner and Boulder City attorney. Denton was known for fighting racism during a time when it was considered a social norm, and helped elect Gov. Grant Sawyer, who mirrored Denton's efforts. Denton died July 6 after battling cancer. He was 86.

Well-known educator and elected official Robert Forbuss died Aug. 12 after years of serving as a Las Vegas teacher and president of a consulting company. Forbuss, born in Las Vegas and a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, returned to the private school as a teacher from 1972 to 1979. He also was recognized as an industry leader in emergency medical services for founding the American Ambulance Association and the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance services. Forbuss died after a long battle with ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, at age 64.

John Fredericks, a former weatherman for KSNV-TV, Channel 3, was championed in the community for his sense of humor and love for animals. For years, Fredericks delivered the weather alongside his golden Labrador, Jordan. Fredericks checked into a hospice with cirrhosis just days before his death on Nov. 23. He was 57.

Norman Kaye was the last living member of the Mary Kaye Trio, a comedy and singing group that brought attention to the Las Vegas lounge scene during the 1950s. The trio moved to Las Vegas in 1954 and worked the midnight-to-dawn shift 22 weeks per year at the Last Frontier. Kaye died on Sept. 18 at age 89.

Lorna Kesterson was Henderson's first and only female mayor, who served from 1985 to 1993. She began serving on the Henderson City Council in 1977, and was named the Henderson Woman of the Year in 1975. A Henderson elementary school and recreation center are named in her honor. Kesterson died on Jan. 18, at the age of 86, after collapsing at her doctor's office.

Monsignor Patrick R. Leary was the CEO of the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada since 2003. Since he was assigned the position, he helped pull the organization out of debt and created a reputation in the community as a personable man and great eulogizer. Leary died un­expectedly Dec. 7 at age 63.

Las Vegas headliners Andy Williams and Phyllis Diller both died this year after decades of performing around the valley. Williams, who first sang at the El Rancho Las Vegas in 1947, continued to appear in Las Vegas for 63 years. He was the headlining act when Caesars Palace opened in 1966. He earned 18 gold records and was nominated for five Grammys. Williams died after a yearlong battle with cancer Sept. 25 at age 84.

Diller, who was recognized for her wild hair and unique laugh, died Aug. 20 in her sleep. Diller, who performed for more than 40 years, was a rarity as a stand-up female comedian, and gave her farewell performance in May 2002 at the Suncoast. She died in Los Angeles at 95.