As we usher in a new year in 2012, it's bittersweet to look back on 2011 and recall the enormity of the many people we lost, some good and some bad like the Momamma Gadhafi's of the world.

Despite all his accomplishments, R. Sargent Shriver was best known as an in-law to the Kennedy's. Go figure. And then there was 96 year old Jack LaLanne, the fitness guru who inspired television viewers to trim down, eat well and pump iron. We're all just passing through.

On February 27 baseball great Duke Snider passed away. He played center in Ebbets Field and stickball on the streets of Brooklyn. Snider, was a Hall of Famer who reminds us of the "good old days" when life seemed much simpler.

A day later, Jane Russell, the voluptuous pin-up girl who set a million male hearts to pounding during World War II, passed away. My dad, Michael Aun, Sr. and my uncle, George Renard, fantasized about this favorite movie star as they fought to keep America free in the Second World War.

A former child star died at 88 on May 3. Nowadays, Jackie Cooper may be best known for his role as the gruff newspaper editor in all four original “Superman” movies. But his Hollywood success story started long before that, with his reign as one of the most popular child stars of his generation.

Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian died at age 83 on June 3. Kevorkian built his suicide machine with parts gathered from flea markets and stashed it in a rusty Volkswagen van. But it was Kevorkian’s audacious attitude that set him apart in the debate over doctor-assisted suicide.

On June 23, we lost Peter Falk, whose life is best savored by the role he played – Columbo, his signature character, which fortified our lives, thanks to Falk’s affectionately genuine portrayal.

One of America's true "sheroes" passed quietly on July 8. Former First Lady Betty Ford will always be known for her take charge attitude. She actually chose the people who eulogized her and the subjects they would discuss. What a grand exit strategy we all should employ.

Former NFL standout turned actor Bubba smith died at 66 on August 3. Smith, who went from feared defensive end on the field to endearing giant in his successful second career as an actor, was only 66.

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis passed at 82 on October 8. Davis was a rebel with a cause- “Just win, baby!” He exhorted his beloved Raiders. He was also a rebel with an NFL subpoena. Davis, who bucked league authority time and again and his teams won three Super Bowls.

On November 30, another former NFL player died. Chester McGlockton, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman emerged as a talented assistant coach and mentor at Stanford. The former Clemson standout was 42.

Founder and former CEO Steve Jobs of Apple died at 56 on October 5. I first met Jobs when I spoke to his young and up and coming company in the early eighties. The Apple founder and former CEO invented and masterfully marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology from the personal computer to the iPod and iPhone.

A vibrant IndyCar driver, Dan Wheldon, died at 33 on October 16. Wheldon, who moved to the United States from his native England with hopes of winning the Indianapolis 500, went on to twice prevail at his sport’s most famed race. Like NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt, Sr., who died before him, his death may redefine how racing is done in the future.

Former ’60 Minutes’ commentator Andy Rooney died on November 4. The curmudgeonly commentator, who spent more than 30 years wryly talking about the oddities of life for the TV news magazine “60 Minutes,” died at 92.

One of my favorite TV shows was M*A*S*H. On December 7, we lost the beloved Colonel Potter, played by Harry Morgan, at the age of 96. Morgan never planned to be an actor, yet he spent 10 years on one of the top TV series of all time, made 50 films and appeared on Broadway. He became one of the best-known character actors in Hollywood.

We're all just passing through. Our presence on this earth is but a speck on the backdrop of time.