Milestones

DIED

Melba Hernández, 92, a member of Fidel Castro’s inner circle from his earliest days as a revolutionary through his years in power; she was also once Cuba’s ambassador to Vietnam.

DIED

Mitch Leigh, 86, composer who transitioned from advertising jingles to Broadway musicals including, in 1966, the long-running, Tony Award–winning Man of La Mancha and its anthem, “The Impossible Dream.”

DIED

Tony Benn, 88, socialist stalwart and enduring point man for the left wing of the British Labour Party, who was a tireless advocate for labor-union rights and nuclear disarmament.

DIED

Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, 103, socialite widow of banking billionaire Paul Mellon and the horticulturist who redesigned the White House Rose Garden in 1961.

DIED

Scott Asheton, 64, drummer and co-founder of the Stooges, fronted by singer Iggy Pop; their albums Fun House and Raw Power paved the way for punk.

DIED

Reubin Askew, 85, two-term 1970s liberal Democratic governor of Florida who strengthened environmental laws, pushed through a corporate income tax and lowered property and school taxes.