Obituaries

Patricio Aylwin, 97, the former president who led Chile's transition to democracy from dictatorship in 1990, died Tuesday at his home in Santiago, his son Miguel Aylwin said.

A lawyer and a member of the Christian Democratic party, Mr. Aylwin helped restore democracy in a nation torn apart by 17 years of military rule by Augusto Pinochet, while overseeing the "economic miracle" that went on to make Chile the wealthiest country in South America.

In 1988, Mr. Aylwin participated in a campaign asking Chileans to cast a "No" vote in a referendum to allow Pinochet to rule for eight more years. The victory of the "No" campaign triggered Chile's first democratic presidential election since 1970.

"We owe a lot to Patricio Aylwin; Chile has lost a great democrat," President Michelle Bachelet said Tuesday.

Still, Chile's democracy in the early 1990s was overshadowed by the power of the military. Pinochet became an unelected senator for life and named others, while the National Security Council, of which he was a member, retained the right to rule on key issues.

The extent of Mr. Aylwin's popularity was shown by the condolences to the family that poured in today from both sides of Chile's political divide.

"He had a long life dedicated to family, justice and public service," his son Miguel said. "He fought for his profound democratic convictions."

He will be buried in a state funeral on Friday.

- Bloomberg
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Bill Campbell, 75, a management guru to Steve Jobs and other Silicon Valley luminaries, died Monday after a long battle with cancer.

Although not widely known outside Silicon Valley, Mr. Campbell played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of both Apple and Google, two of the world's most powerful companies. He also was consulted by other technology companies and entrepreneurs trying to manage the rapid growth triggered by their innovations.

Mr. Campbell's background gave little inkling he would become a mentor and sounding board for a list of technology-industry leaders that included Apple's late cofounder.

Before moving to Silicon Valley in the 1980s, Mr. Campbell spent six seasons as the head coach of Columbia University's football team. He remained known as "Coach" after he became an influential technology-industry adviser.

- AP