List of Famous people who died at 61

Aleksandr Yakovlevich Bereznyak was a Soviet aircraft and missile designer. He was the Chief Designer of MKB Raduga, from March 1957.

Lyubov Ivanovna Sadchikova was a Soviet speed skater who won the all-round world championship in 1978. In 1975, she set a world record in 500 m. Next year, she finished sixth in the same event at the 1976 Winter Olympics.

Janet Kagan was an American author. Her works include two science fiction novels and two science fiction collections, plus numerous science fiction and fantasy short stories that appeared in publications such as Analog Science Fiction and Fact and Asimov's Science Fiction. Her story "The Nutcracker Coup" was nominated for both the Hugo Award for Best Novelette and the Nebula Award for Best Novelette, winning the Hugo.

Stephen B. Grimes was an English production designer and art director. He won an Oscar and was nominated for two more in the category Best Art Direction.

Umyar Mavlikhanov was a Soviet fencer. He won gold in the team sabre events at the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics and a bronze in the individual sabre in 1964.