Obituaries of note for Saturday, June 19, 2010

Peter Brunette Film Scholar, Critic

Peter Brunette, 66, a film studies teacher and an author of several books about movie directors including Roberto Rossellini and Michelangelo Antonioni, died June 16 of an apparent heart attack while visiting the Taormina Film Festival in Italy.

Since 2004, Dr. Brunette had been a professor of film studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. He had previously been director of the film and media studies program at George Mason University and held academic posts at the University of Maryland, among other places.

For several years, he was artistic director of the Cinema Club, a film society that meets at the Avalon Theatre in Washington.

Peter Clark Brunette Jr. was born in Richwood, W.Va., and grew up in Pittsburgh, where he was a 1965 graduate of Duquesne University. He received a master's degree in English from Duquesne and a doctorate in English from the University of Wisconsin.

Over the years, Dr. Brunette contributed articles and criticism to a variety of film publications, including the Hollywood Reporter. He also wrote for mainstream publications such as The Washington Post and the New York Times.

His wife, Lynne Johnson, died in 2007. Survivors include a sister, Rose Dean of Washington.

Janie Bowen Virginia Tax Commissioner

Janie Bowen, 56, who had been Virginia tax commissioner since 2006, died June 15 at her home in Richmond. The cause of death was not reported.

Ms. Bowen had worked for the department since 1978 and was appointed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to head the agency in May 2006. Ms. Bowen, a Charlottesville native, received a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Georgia and a master's degree from the University of Virginia.

Last week, she was elected to head the board of the Federation of Tax Administrators. The group helps all states with federal legislation affecting state tax revenue.

Charlie Hickcox Olympic Swimmer

Charlie Hickcox, 63, a champion swimmer who won three gold medals and a silver at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, died June 15 of cancer in San Diego.

Mr. Hickcox helped set a world record in the men's 400 medley relay in Mexico City and swept the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races. He set an Olympic record in the 200-meter race and won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke.

In a 16-month period in 1967 and 1968, Mr. Hickcox set eight world records and was named world swimmer of the year.

He was born in Phoenix. At Indiana University, he won eight NCAA individual swimming titles and helped the school win two NCAA team titles.

In later years, Mr. Hickcox was a real estate lawyer and president of a real estate company near Phoenix.

-- News services and staff reports