Too true. The guys I grew up watching on television (Red Skelton - GOAT, Jack Benny, Dean Martin, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, Ed Sullivan, Dan Rowan & Dick Martin of "Laugh In" fame ), in sports and far too many musicians are mostly dead. Whether they made me laugh, want to be a pro ball player or a rock star, each of them was - in their own way - a hero to me as a boy.
But I'm blessed to have them immortalized in my memories (and on the interwebs) and grateful for the hours of entertainment and inspiration they provided.
RIP, Bobby or as Red Skelton would have said, "Good night and God bless!"