List of Famous people who died in 2009

Eugene Earle van Tamelen was an organic chemist who is especially recognized for his contributions to bioorganic chemistry.

Sam Barlow Williams was an American inventor and founder of Williams International. He was best known for his development of the small fan-jet engine, and received several prestigious awards for innovation in this field of aviation.

Godfrey Lionel Rampling was an English athlete and army officer who competed for Great Britain in the 1932 Summer Olympics and in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He turned 100 on 14 May 2009 and was the oldest living British Olympian at the time of his death.

Sir Sacheverell Reresby Sitwell, 7th Baronet was the head of the Sitwell family, and owner of Renishaw Hall, Derbyshire.

Lionel Davidson FRSL was an English novelist who wrote spy thrillers.

Oleg Semyonovich Shenin was the leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Shenin), which should not be confused with the larger UCP-CPSU.

Shakti Samanta was an Indian film director and producer, who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known for films such as Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Kati Patang, and Amar Prem.