Died. Dr. Sidney Farber, 69, past president of the American Cancer Society (1968-69) and a pioneer researcher in the chemical treatment of cancer; of an apparent heart attack; in Boston. Farber's discovery in 1947 that certain chemicals cause temporary remission of leukemia symptoms provided the first widely accepted evidence that some forms of cancer can be treated with drugs alone. In 1948, he established the Children's Cancer Research Foundation, the first such institution devoted exclusively to the research and treatment of cancer in children.

Died. Sir Noel Coward, 73, whose urbane wit and generous talents as playwright, actor, author and composer have entertained audiences round the world for half a century (see THE THEATER).

Died. George H. Sisler, 80, Hall of Fame first baseman and the first winner of the American League's Most Valuable Player award (1922); in St. Louis. Nicknamed "Gorgeous George" for his graceful fielding--rather than his face, which seemed set in a permanent squint--Sisler shifted early from pitcher to first baseman on the old St. Louis Browns. He led the American League in 1922 with a .420 batting average, 51 stolen bases and a 41-game hitting streak that broke a Ty Cobb record and helped turn the hapless Browns into pennant contenders. A sinus infection sidelined and nearly blinded the soft-spoken slugger the following year, but in 1924 Sisler returned to play eight more years in the majors, compile a lifetime batting average of .340 and later serve as scout and instructor for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Died. Ida Rosenthal, 87, onetime seamstress who became co-founder of the Maidenform brassiere company in 1923; in Manhattan. Dissatisfied with the way women failed to fill out the fashions of her New York dress shop, Rosenthal designed a simple bra that provided "uplift" instead of the cummerbund effect of earlier brassieres. When the bras proved more popular than her dresses, she quickly organized Maidenform with her husband as partner and chief designer. An instant success, the company added a broad range of styles, padding, and in 1949 the famed "I dreamed" advertising campaign that featured Maidenformed maidens flaunting their brassieres in public. By 1972 Maidenform products, including swimsuits, lingerie and sportswear, were on sale in 120 countries.

Died. Edward Steichen, 93, grand old master of photography who made picture taking an art form (see ART).

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