From today's Times obituaries:

Dr. James R. Richards, a prominent veterinarian who was a recognized authority on cat care, died on Tuesday in Johnson City, N.Y. He was 58 and lived in Dryden, N.Y.
Dr. Richards died of injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. According to Sgt. Kelly Daley of the New York State Police, he was thrown from his motorcycle after he tried without success to avoid hitting a cat that had run into the road.

Very sad. Say this for the guy: He died as he lived. Caring way too much about cats.

James Richards, Veterinarian and Expert on Cat Care, Dies at 58 [NYT]