Politicos of the Past

As Election Day 2010 gets underway, we take a look back at a few notable politicians who died earlier this year.

John Schnabel (1920 - 2016), Gold Rush reality TV star

John Schnabel, an Alaskan gold miner and family patriarch on the reality TV show “Gold Rush,” has died, according to multiple news sources. He was 96. Schnabel, who owned a claim to the Big Nugget mine in Porcupine Creek, Alaska, died March 18 in his sleep, according to his family. “Thank you all for the kind words,” wrote John Schabel’s grandson, Peter Schnabel, in a Twitter message. “John lived a great life and was one of a kind. I am glad the world got to see an amazing man.” The show, which airs on the Discovery Channel cable network, is currently in its sixth season. The first season, titled “Gold Rush – Alaska,” aired on the channel in December 2010. It follows the escapades of a group of miners who initially took up the mining pursuit because they had lost their jobs in Sandy, Oregon. During the show’s second season, when the show’s name was shortened to “Gold Rush,” John Schnabel decided to step down and give the Big Nugget mine to grandson Parker Schnabel.

Rosie Hamlin (1945–2017), Angel Baby singer

Songwriter Rosie Hamlin composed and sang the classic song "Angel Baby."

Bob Harte (1958–2017), The Last Alaskans reality TV star

Bob Harte, a star on the Discovery Channel’s reality show “The Last Alaskans,” died Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Nick McGlashan (2020), star of Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch”

Nick McGlashan was one of the stars of Discovery’s reality TV series “Deadliest Catch.”

Billy Brown (1952–2021), patriarch of “Alaskan Bush People” reality series

Billy Brown was a reality TV star known for the long-running “Alaskan Bush People.”

Mike Gravel (1930–2021), former U.S. Senator from Alaska

Mike Gravel was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Alaska as well as a two-time presidential candidate.

Don Young (1933–2022), longest-serving Republican in U.S. House history

Don Young represented Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the longest-serving Republican in House history.

Lance Mackey (1970–2022), four-time Iditarod champion

Lance Mackey was a legendary musher who won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race four times.

Joseph Hazelwood (1946–2022), Exxon Valdez captain during 1989 oil spill

Joseph Hazelwood was the captain of the oil tanker Exxon Valdez in 1989 when it hit a reef, resulting in a disastrous oil spill.

Jim Tweto (1954–2023), Flying Wild Alaska star 

Jim Tweto was a bush pilot who starred in the Discovery Channel reality series “Flying Wild Alaska.”

“Dakota” Fred Hurt (1943–2023), Gold Rush reality TV star 

“Dakota” Fred Hurt was a gold prospector who starred on the Discovery Channel reality series “Gold Rush” and several of its spinoffs.

Nick Mavar, longtime deckhand on Deadliest Catch

Nick Mavar was a longtime deckhand on “Deadliest Catch” who worked on the F/V Northwestern, appearing in 16 seasons of the reality show.