Alfred Kahn has died

Peter Cramton writes at his blog that

Alfred Kahn died on Monday, 27 December 2010, in his Ithaca home at the age of 93. Fred lived a wonderful life and contributed enormously to society and all those who knew him. As a market design he was a pioneer. It takes a special person to be named chairman of an organization, the Civil Aeronautics Board in his case, and eliminate it. Fred recognized that the CAB served only to insulate airlines from competition. Fred’s action led the way to a deregulation movement that introduced competition into many industries, reducing prices and spurring innovation.

Yes Kahn actually did away with a part of the US government! We need more such people.

The New York Times obituary is here, the Houston Chronicle's here, Cornell University's here.