Here at mid-month in March, we publish the Broken Wand which will appear in the April 2012 issue of The Linking Ring, in order to notify friends and fans of magicians who have died, two weeks before that issue is posted on this I.B.M. Web Portal, and longer until hard copies are received in mailboxes.
For the first time, we include -- if we know them -- (1) the names of charities to which memorials may be made, as well as (2) places to send condolences, tributes, memories, etc. In the event no charity is listed, memorial contributions to the I.B.M. Endowment Fund would be appropriate.
BROKEN WAND FOR APRIL 2012
MILTON J. BLOCH
Milton Joseph Bloch, 74, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died March 6, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 47140, and he had been a member since 1991. He was a member of Ring 101, the Don Connelly Ring. Born in Bronx, New York, he had degrees from Pratt Institute and the University of Florida. He was director of the Mint Museum for fourteen years, turning it into a world-class art museum. He did the same for the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, New York, where he stayed for eighteen years. He retired back in Charlotte two years ago. An amateur magician since high school, his grandchildren called him “Magic.” In addition, he wrote poetry, made art, and cooked Chinese food. Among survivors are his wife, Mary; daughter Kimberly (J.) Lasko; step-daughter Farrell (Stephen) Farrell; brother Stanley; and several grandchildren. Donations may be made to the Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202; or the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, 310 Genesee, Utica, NY 13502. Condolences to: www.legacy.com/guestbook/charlotte/guestbook.aspx?n=milton-bloch
MARTIN BREESE
Martin Breese, 74, of Brighton, East Sussex, England, died February 23, 2012 after a long battle with leukemia. He held I.B.M. number 37029, and he had been a member since 2002. He was a member of Ring 25, the British Ring. His career and contributions to magic spanned six decades. He was known throughout the world as a publisher and magic dealer. He published a long list of fiction and non-fiction titles, many magic books, and was a well-respected authority on Modern First Edition books. He is credited with bringing much United States magic to the United Kingdom. He also produced a series of cassettes of actual conversations with famous magicians. His magic business interests have passed to his longtime friend and partner, Chris Wasshuber (wasshuber@lybrary.com). Among survivors are a son, James, and a daughter, Sophie. Memorial donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation UK, 329-331 London Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HQ. Reflections may be sent to his son, James, at jamie@jamiebreese.co.uk.
DAVID BRUMBLE
David Brumble, 68, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died February 11, 2012. His I.B.M. number was 27539, and he had been a member since 1974. He was a member of Ring 341, the All American Magicians, and of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. As a young man, he studied with Segovia, and graduated from the Berklee School of Music. He taught guitar in Fayetteville and Washington, D.C., and played with a long list of well-known musicians. He also earned several graduate degrees. He explored rural Mexico and South America while working for National Geographic, recording drumming rhythms of native people. When multiple sclerosis took his strength, he adapted to a wheelchair. Among survivors are his wife of forty years, Sharon; in-laws Earl and Elizabeth Williams, Gary Williams, and Becky Williams; and many nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and nieces, and great-grand-nephews and nieces. Contributions may be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank, 406 Deep Creek Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312; or to the MS Society. Memories may be sent to: www.jerniganwarren.com
JOHN D. COLOGNA
John Dennis Cologna, 78, of Trumbull, Connecticut, died January 18, 2012. He held I.B.M. number 25722, and had been a member since 1973. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). A native of Chicago, he graduated from DePaul University, at which he and his wife established a scholarship. He retired after forty-two years with the General Electric Company, as Manager of Development and Planning. After retiring he founded his own consulting company, providing supply management training in the United States, Europe, Japan, and China. He performed magic as the “Amazing Mr. C” at hospitals, schools, orphanages, and other charities. Up until his death, he had been training his granddaughter, Danielle Cavaliere to continue his act as the “Amazing Ms. C.” He received an award from General Electric for his many charitable activities. Survivors include eight children: Ann Sullivan, Barbara (Walter) Pietruk, Daniel (Robyn), Kathleen (Chris) Day, Andrea (Michael) Amalfitano, Linda Cavaliere, Karen (Tim) Echeverria, and John; twenty-two grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
ARTHUR F. DOYLE
Arthur F. Doyle, 82, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, died November 17, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 34378, and he had been a member since 1979. He was a member of Ring 166, the Black Richard Ring. He also was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he graduated from Providence College, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He loved his profession as a chemist, and was especially proud of his many patents. He loved fishing and magic, and especially loved entertaining his grandchildren. His widow said he greatly enjoyed his membership in the I.B.M. and that magic made him happy. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Steere Doyle; nine children: Arthur, John, Catherine Donovan, John Steere, Carolyn Kirkpatrick, Robin Elwell, Kelly Steere, Thomas, Robert; twenty-three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
GEORGE W. EGGERS
George William “Bill” Nordholtz Eggers Jr., M.D., 82, of Columbia, Missouri, died December 4, 2011. Born in Galveston, Texas, his education included Rice University, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Eggers was an anesthesiologist who held academic and medical appointments at the University of Missouri, Northwestern University, and Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to magic, his hobbies included poker (he qualified for the World Series of Poker), music (he sang tenor), and skeet shooting (he was a national champion.) Survivors include a daughter, Carol (Dan) Gruzd; and a son Will (Polly); and four grandchildren, Zach, Katie, Olivia, and Cate. Gifts in his memory may be made to the University of Missouri School of Medicine Development, One Hospital Drive DC205.00, Columbia MO 65212. Tributes may be left at: www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
MELVIN EISENBERG
Melvin Eisenberg, 76, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, died March 2, 2012. He held I.B.M. member number 14744, and had been a member since 1976. He was a member of Ring 22, The Harry Cecil Ring, and was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years of continuous membership). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. A printer by profession, he was a member of the Detroit Club of Printing House Craftsman. He performed as “Magical Mel” up until about a year ago. For many years he operated the Emporium of Magic in Southfield. Survivors include his wife, Rosalie; children Barbara Mitchell, and Jeffrey (Kristina); grandchildren Steven Mitchell and Rachael Eisenberg; brother Mickey (Jeanne); sister-in-law Evelyn Gold; and many nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R - VE01FS, Detroit, MI 48201; or the Alzheimer’s Association-Detroit, 20300 Civic Center Drive #100, Southfield, MI 48076.
JOHN H. GLADFELTER
John Henry Gladfelter, Ph.D., 85, of Alvin, Texas, died February 23, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 9005, and he had been a member since 1946. He was a member of Ring 174, the Willard the Wizard Ring. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (over sixty years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. Born in Wisconsin, his family moved to Alvin in 1941. He joined the Merchant Marines during World War II and served on ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Dr. Gladgelter earned three degrees from the University of Houston and was responsible for creating a generation of well-trained therapists, in Dallas and throughout the country. He was widely recognized as a gifted master therapist. As an amateur magician, he was past president of the Dallas Magic Circle, and the Texas Association of Magicians. In addition, he loved his pet cats, astronomy, and camping. Survivors include his brother, Marten (Mary); several nephews and nieces, and many grand nieces and nephews. Go to www.restlandfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook.
ROBERT O. LAMBERTI
Robert Oreste Lamberti, 51, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died February 29, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 62001, and he had been a member since 2007. He was a member of Ring 90. He wore many hats through his journey of life. As a young man he was a topnotch golfer, then a U.S. marine with duty in Japan. He graduated from the University of New Mexico, and became a professional magician. He also was a businessman, owning Magic Avenue. Among survivors are his mother, Betty, and special father, Jack Cairns, Sr.; four children: Amanda (Aaron) Bacoccini, Joshua, Angelina, and Howard; sister Monica; and niece Avry.
JOSEPH M. NOEL
Joseph M.”Jack” Noel, 85, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died March 5, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 24174, and he had been a member since 1971. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He was a jack of all trades -- magician, musician, pyrotechnics expert, Freemason, etc. Survivors include his wife, Dolores; children Alicia (Barry) Ozenhorn, Janice (Jacob) Jaffee, Margie Rybar, Lynn Tolby, Jim (Maja) Hampson, and Pat (Linda) Hampson; fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; sister Dolores, brothers Howard (Anne), and Harry (Janet); and many nieces and nephews.
TRINY J. PELLER
Triny J. Peller, 93, of Los Angeles, California, died December 22, 2011. Her I.B.M. membership number was 22671, and she had been a member since 1965. She was a member of Ring 96, the Merlin Eifert Ring; Ring 313, the John Febko Ring; Ring 21, the Carl Fleming Ring; and Ring 326, the Harry Blackstone Jr. Ring. She was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (over thirty-five years a continuous member). She was the widow of Albert Peller, who died in 1989. Triny and Al were long-time fixtures in the Los Angeles area, passionately supporting the art of magic in many venues. They were on the cover of The Linking Ring’s February 1996 issue. She was born in Luxembourg. She met Albert Peller while she was a translator at the Nuremberg War Trials following World War II, and he was an American U.S. Army attorney. Both she and Albert were graduates of the Chavez School of Magic. Triny donated the money for the Peller Theater at the Magic Castle in Albert’s memory. Mrs. Peller was a good friend of Ring 313. She sponsored their contests, donated and purchased books for their library, and helped the Ring get its financial footing in its early days. Survivors include a sister and nephew living in Germany.
KENNETH M. STEWART
Kenneth M. Stewart, 83, of Soquel, California, died December 17, 2011. His I.B.M. Number was 8616, and he had been a member since 1968. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He was born in Oklahoma, but grew up in Monterey, California. For forty-five years he was associated with State Farm Insurance as an agent and agency manager in Santa Cruz. One of his proudest achievements was being licensed as a private pilot, and his purchase of a Piper Cherokee. He was an avid San Francisco Giants fan, a golfer, and a devoted member of his church. He was an accomplished magician and standup comic, and was a proud member of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians and the Magic Castle. Survivors include a daughter, Janice (Tom) McKinney; sons Dave (Mary), Mike, and Kenny; two brothers, Jim (Pam) and Ron (Margie); and six grandsons.
MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN
Michael Joseph Sullivan, 82, of Utica, Michigan, died March 3, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 27492, and he had been a member since 1974. He was a member of Ring 22, the Harry Cecil Ring. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. He was a talented entertainer, performing both close-up and stage magic. In addition, he was a wonderful puppeteer, working with marionettes, and was an accomplished musician, as well. Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years, Lilly; and children Michael J. IV, and Patrick (Deborah); five grandchildren; and Sister Loretta (Barbara) RSM. A combined I.B.M.-S.A.M. Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted in his honor. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207. Share memories with the family in their online guest book at www.wujekCalcaterra.com.
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