On May 14, 2003, I was 20-years-old, in my second year at college, and I had failed my Japanese language test. At that time, I was having such a bad week, which worsened when I got that test back. Also at that time, I never expected my week to get worse by the next day.

On the morning of May 15, 2003, I came to the message board for Unsolved Mysteries at sitcomsonline.com and the first thing I read was Robert Stack died of heart failure on May 14. At first, I thought I had read it wrong. But when I read the article about his passing, it was indeed the host of UM. Then I cried.

I couldn't believe it. He was 84-years-old when he died and yet, he looked young for his age. I've been watching his show for a few months at the time (I still watch it whenever I can) and even though I didn't know him personally, I still mourned for him and I created a memorial web site shortly after hearing about his death.

When I started watching UM, I've taken interest in not only the show itself but also Stack himself. As I learned more about him through his film and tv credits, my interest in him not only grew but it lead to two new interests related to him: one is 1930s-40s actress Deanna Durbin, his co-star in First Love (1939, where he made his debut and gave Durbin her first movie kiss) and Nice Girl? (1941). The other is the 1959-1963 tv show The Untouchables. I'm currently reading two books on the Untouchables, one on the original tv show, the other covering the real Untouchables and its television and cinematic incarnations.

This year, on May 14, 2004, it is exactly one year since his death. The more I think about it, the more it seems that his passing occurred just yesterday.

Also, when I think of Robert Stack, I think of the following:

-his hilarious self-parody as the air traffic controller Captain Rex Kramer in Airplane!

-the gravel-voiced, trenchcoat-wearing host of Unsolved Mysteries

-the young pilot who leaves his theatre seat upon hearing the words "to be or not to be" in To Be Or Not To Be

-Eliot Ness in The Untouchables (I haven't seen the show yet but I know Stack will always be known as Eliot Ness)

-his reaction to seeing Lon Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera, as mentioned in his autobiography "Straight Shooting." Stack saw that movie at age 6 and said the scene with the Phantom unmasked and bearing a horrific appearance had spooked Stack so much he couldn't stop shaking for two days.

I still can't believe that he is gone. I still miss him very much.

"For every mystery, there is someone, somewhere who knows the truth. Perhaps that someone is watching. Perhaps...it's you."

R.I.P.

I love him in Airplane... especially when Stryker is landing, I just die laughing during that whole episode. :rofl:

Anyway... I didn't even know it had been a year. :(

It is very hard to believe that Robert Stack has been deceased for a full year now. I first learned about his death via the Internet. There was a picture of Robert Stack, and the headline read "Untouchables star Robert Stack dies," or something to that effect. It was like I had been punched in the stomach. Needless to say, I was stunned. Personally, I'm still feeling the loss of Robert Stack, and probably will for a long time to come.

Given his reputation for playing crimefighters (especially that of Eliot Ness on The Untouchables), it is very obvious that he was destined to host a anti-crime show. Both his TV crimefighting and the fact that he was admittedly pro-law enforcement made him both effective and plausible as an anti-crime show host. I honestly believe that if he had not hosted Unsolved Mysteries, he would probably have hosted a similar show.

Rest in peace, Mr. Stack. You are still painfully missed. :(

Four years ago today RS passed away. :(

Four Years, R.I.P. Robert Stack.

Rip :(

I hope he's okay

:rip:

hard to believe it's been four years, isn't it?

Yowza. Four years, really? Incredible.

:tiphat:

Everything I have ever seen or read about Stack says he was a very nice person. I think everyone wishes he was still with us.

May 14 2003, the date of Robert Stack's death, one of the saddest day in my life, along with November 10 2006, the date of Jack Palance's death, the host of my other favorite TV show ever: the 80's version of Ripley's Believe It or Not!. R.I.P.

To have someone on tv read out your sister and neices name, and tell the horrific story will be something I always will remember about Mr. Stack. It would have been great to give him a hug! He did the segment on my Sister and niece in early 93, and he will be missed by my family...