In the December 2012 issue of The Linking Ring, six magicians will be remembered in the Broken Wand. Those are the magicians who we learned had died since the previous month, and for whom we could find enough information for an obituary. Note that not all of them are I.B.M. members. As the primary repository for magician obituaries, The Linking Ring takes pride in honoring all magicians who have died, for their many years of bringing joy and laughter and wonder to other people. Also note that we include the names of charitable institutions to which memorial contributions may be made, for those we found.
KARL F. ANDERSON II
Karl Franklin (Kif) Anderson II, 51, of Bellflower, California, died October 25, 2012. He was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM), serving as president of the chapter which meets at the Magic Castle. He worked for Boeing Space and Defense for thirty years. He headlined his first magic show at age eleven and magic became a life-long avocation. He was a master storyteller, presenter, speaker, teacher, and mentor. He performed and taught at the Magic Castle. After becoming a born again Christian, Mr. Anderson devoted his talents to sharing the Gospel. For eleven years he performed with Gene (Oz) Oswald as the duo: “Oz and Wilde: FX4 Christ,” presenting the Gospel through comedy, illusion, and storytelling. They performed at the Magic Castle, summer camps, churches, conventions, and workshops all over the United States. For two years Kif produced and hosted the Christian television series “Kids of the Kingdom” for cable television. He also created and produced the Christian Magician Podcast for the FCM and was the moderator for the Magic Cafe FCM and Good News sections on the Internet. He was active with Toastmasters, and ran a Toasters Magic Club in Orange County. Survivors include his wife of seventeen years, Patricia; daughters Lauren (Jonathan) Taylor, and Faith Renee; his parents; and sister Michelle (David) Goodman. Memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Ministries/Kif Anderson Fund, Calvary Chapel Downey, 12808 Woodruff Avenue, Downey, CA 90242.
EVERETT C. ANDREWS
Everett C. Andrews, 77, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, died October 15, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 16389, and he had been a member since 1957. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 66 and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He started in magic while in elementary school, and performed locally throughout high school. But it wasn’t until he was in college that he learned about the I.B.M. and joined. He rose to become the Territorial Vice President for Alberta and Saskatchewan. In college he produced and directed his college’s annual banquet entertainment, as well as the student-staff variety show. After college, he worked as a commercial artist in the advertising industry. He married and his wife Shirlee joined his act. When children came, they joined the act too, performing as a family. Later she passed away. He owned Magic X Change, a retail supply for magicians. Mr. Andrews, who won numerous awards over the years, gave freely of his time and knowledge, and many magicians are performing today because of his mentoring and help. Survivors include his wife, Beverly; sons David and Douglas; and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
WILLIAM E. BAUGHMAN
The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that William E. Baughman, 70, of Atlanta, Georgia, died January 22, 2012. His I.B.M. member number was 45565, and he had been a member since 1989. Born in Philadelphia, he grew up in Arlington, Virginia. He earned degrees in criminal justice from Florida State University and Sam Houston State University. He served is the U.S. Army, as commander of the post stockade at the Presidio of San Francisco. In 1971 he moved to Atlanta to join the Georgia Department of Corrections, from which he retired in 2001, after three decades of service. In addition to magic, his hobbies included fishing and woodworking. Among survivors at the time of his death were his wife, Jerrie; daughter Alana, and son James (Veronica), and grandsons Ethan and Elijah.
WILLIAM J. HARTLEY
William Jack Hartley, 85, of Westland, Michigan, died November 7, 2012. His I.B.M. member number was 21475, and he had been a member since 1967. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 210, the Hank Moorehouse Ring/Ann Arbor Magic Club; and Ring 22, the Harry Cecil Ring. He was born in Buffalo, New York. Survivors include sons Carl (Susan), and Joe (Sue); daughter-in-law Barb Reeter; half-sister Trudy Orduff; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
FREDERICK A. ROHRER
The I.B.M. Office recently was notified that Frederick Allen Rohrer, 76, of Escondido, California, died February 5, 2012 of Parkinson’s Disease. His I.B.M. number was 30625, and he had been a member since 1976. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 76, the Honest Sid Gerhart Ring, which he served as president. He served in the U.S. Air Force for twenty-one years and then moved to San Diego. Mr. Rohrer and his wife performed magic throughout the United States and Europe. After the military he worked as a Senior Electronics Engineer. He also was a private pilot. For his last five years, he worked as a Master Hypnotherapist. Among survivors are his wife of forty-nine years, Ursula; daughter Petra (Gregory) Kydd; son Alexander (Carolyn); and two grandchildren, Quitin and Preston Kydd.
ALAN A. SHAXON
Alan Arthur Shaxon, 79, of Walton-on-Thames, Surre, England, died October 27, 2012. His I.B.M. number was 46237, and he had been a member since 1990. He was a member of Ring 25, the British Ring. He also was inducted into the S.A.M. Hall of Fame. Alan’s birth name was Howson, but he changed it to Shaxon because he thought it was easier to pronounce. He learned magic in his youth, when he was confined at home for two weeks with the measles. A neighbor loaned him The Modern Conjurer and he was hooked on magic. He performed for fellow students and Scouts throughout school. At eighteen he joined the Royal Air Force and spent much of his service performing shows for the Army. After the service, he appeared widely on television, and cruised the world with a cabaret show on luxury liners. He also entertained four times at Buckingham Palace. Mr. Shaxon taught Tom Cruise sleight of hand for “Mission Impossible;” and he appeared as a magician in the series, “Mr. Bean.” He owned a large number of the apparatus of Robert Harbin. Mr. Shaxon was a former president of The Magic Circle (2003-2008), and received “The Maskelyne,” its highest award. He was featured on the cover of January 1991 issue of The Linking Ring. He wrote two well-received books, “My Kind of Magic” (1970), and “Practical Sorcery” (1976). Among survivors is his wife, Anne. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Maskelyne Endowment Fund, #8453, The Magic Circle, 12 Stephenson Way, London, England, NW1 2HD.
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