Dr. Henry Heimlich , the inventor of the namesake maneuver credited with saving thousands of choking victims during the last several decades, died Saturday at the age of 96. The legendary physician passed away early Saturday morning at a Cincinnati hospital where he had been admitted earlier this week after suffering from a massive heart attack, his children said in a statement. “Dad was a hero to many people around the world for a simple reason: He helped save untold numbers of lives through the innovation of common-sense procedures and devices.