Actor Patrick Stewart dies at 86

Patrick Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 86. His spokesperson said the actor was battling Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. The diagnoses were not previously public. Stewart was known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 'Star Trek' and Professor Charles Xavier in the 'X-Men' films.

The actor's death brings renewed attention to a 2015 local campaign. Owen Lingley, then a 36-year-old Portland business owner, launched a Kickstarter to rename the city's new Willamette River bridge. He proposed the name 'Jean-Luc Picard Wunder Crossing.' The campaign aimed to raise $5,000 for billboards featuring Stewart as Picard.

TriMet had asked the public for bridge name suggestions in 2014. Thousands of ideas arrived. 'Wonder Crossing' was among the rejected options. Lingley found the suggestion and decided to pursue it with a science fiction twist. He did not seek an official name change from TriMet.

The Kickstarter ended in late September 2015. It collected $2,785 from 67 backers. The goal was not met. Lingley argued the name would inspire residents to strive for a brighter future. He described Picard as a figure with 'bold confidence, silky baritone voice, and perfect diction.'

Lingley told the Portland Tribune he discovered the name among rejected entries. He said the name made him laugh and hoped people would latch onto it. He acknowledged he doubted TriMet would change the official designation. The bridge opened in September 2015 as Tilikum Crossing: Bridge of the People.

The 1,720-foot structure was the first new Willamette River bridge in 42 years. It is designed for transit vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Private cars do not travel on the span. Lingley's campaign highlighted the bridge's unique status in local infrastructure planning.