For the December 2011 Broken Wand in The Linking Ring, there are nineteen obituaries, honoring magicians who the I.B.M. learned since the November issue was published, had died. 

The Linking Ring has recorded the deaths of one hundred and sixty magicians and magician assistants during 2011. A more extensive review of the 2011 Broken Wands will be reported in the January issue of The Linking Ring.

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Thank you to all who reported deaths of magicians to the I.B.M. Office during this year, and to those who supplied information and photos about them. The Linking Ring is proud to be the largest archive of magician obituaries, honoring the memory of those who have brought so much joy and laughter to other people.

MARK L. BARRAGAR

Mark Lynn Barragar, 52, of Moore, Oklahoma, died October 28, 2011. He was a former I.B.M. member. Born in Kansas, he spent most of his working career as a Master Control Technician. He enjoyed many hobbies, especially entertaining. Many people knew him as “Ranger Roger,” the name he used when he hosted “Camp Kids Club” on KOKH television from 1991 to 1998. He performed magic on the show. Most recently he became an Elvis “tribute artist,” billing himself as the “King-sized Elvis,” since he was 6’7” and nearly three hundred pounds.Survivors include his wife of thirty years, Yvonne;  stepchildren Dru West and Yevette (Michael) O’Leary; and grandchildren Turner, Kathryn, Ashlyn, and Patrick.

JOEL A. BRASH

Joel Avery “JB” Brash, 67, of Deerfield, Illinois, died October 20, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 25551, and he had been a member since 1973. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Among his special interests was the Horizon Riders and other bikers. Survivors include his wife Arlene; daughter Erica (Aaron) Rojas; step-children David (Lisa), Howard (Gina), and Elizabeth Lakin; and grandchildren Samantha, Ryan, Alex, Jacob, and Caleb Lakin.

RODGER D. BUCY

Rodger D. Bucy, 61, of Ellicott City, Maryland, died October 27, 2011. His I.B.M. number was 44733, and he had been a member since 1989. He was a member of Ring 50,The Nation’s Capitol Ring; S.A.M. Assembly 141, S.A.M. Assembly 23, and the Magic Castle, He retired in 2009 from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he worked since the 1970s. He was remembered by his co-workers in Integrated Storage Systems as the original “Mr. User Help” for the mainframe. He was one of the backstage helpers at Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic. He was a founding member of the board for the Jokers Gone Wild convention. Survivors include sister Cheryl MeGie, and nieces Dallas Ann and Desiree. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted at his graveside in Paris, Tennessee.

JOHN A. DANIEL

John A. Daniel, 81, of South Pasadena, California, died October 24, 2011. He was a major collector of vintage magic tricks and illusions, magic posters, and memorabilia. He also collected antique carousels and horses, vintage carnival chalk art, African tribal art, vintage toys and trains, Baranger motion window displays, and antique music machines. He was introduced to magic at age nine when he was in Cub Scouts. He became a major magic performer, builder, inventor, retailer, and collector. He operated a magic company called Trick Masters, and a store called Daniel’s Den. For a time, he was co-owner of Owen Magic. He served during the Korean War in Germany, where he met Irene, and they were later married, in 1957. They had a son, Dante. Still later he met his second wife, Cathy, when both were being hired for a show in Reno. He retired from performing in 1970 and turned to many other interests. Survivors include his wife of forty-four years, Cathy; their daughter, Michelle Daniel Willbanks; his first wife, Irene Stolz Daniel Larsen, and their son, Dante Daniel Larsen.

WILLIAM H. DUBOIS

William “Bill” H. DuBois, 81, of Mishawaka, Indiana, died October 22, 2011. His I.B.M. number was 68709, and he had been a member since 2009. He was a member of Ring 342, the Magician’s Guild of Michiana. He was a graduate of Wabash College. For fifty-three years he owned and operated DuBois Importing Company, as a wholesaler of advertising and specialty gifts. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Mary Ellen; sons Kent (Darlen) and Mark (Beth); and six grandchildren: Jason, Hannah, Lydia, Caleb, Steven, and David.

JOSEPH A.O. DUPERRE

Joseph (Joe) A.O. DuPerre, 81, of Tucson, Arizona, died September 24, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 18672, and he had been a member since 1962. He was a member of Ring 172, the Tucson Magic Club. He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Born in New Hampshire, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950, where he spent the next twenty years, retiring in 1970. He started a second career in the hospitality industry, working as a director of services in several Tucson area hotels before retiring again, in 1995. But he wasn’t finished, working in an auto rental firm until 2009. His lifelong hobby and career was magic, having his first professional performance in 1945 at age fourteen. He worked with Slydini and Al Wheatley. He toured with Bob Hope, and was friends with Dai Vernon, and Blackstone, Sr. He had his own television show in Texas, did a variety show (including with unknowns Dick and Jerry Van Dyke), and had a traveling show, which won several awards. In June of this year, Ring 172 was renamed “The Joe DuPerre Ring,” showing the widespread love and respect for him. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Rosanna; six children: Dan (Peggy O’Sullivan), Mike, Mary (Jerry) Hensley, Joe (Marilyn), Steve (Tracy), and Chris; fifteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Two Broken Wand Ceremonies were held in his honor.

JOSEPH J. HOWELL

Joseph Jarvis Howell, 83, of Lady Lake, Florida, died October 19, 2011. His membership number was 64181, and he had been a member since 2003. He was a member of Ring 258, the Ken Krick Ring-Lake County Magic Club. Born in Virginia, his career began as a radio engineer in Richmond, Virginia, followed by Air Force service as a navigator and bombardier. A true “rocket-scientist,” he began an aerospace career with pioneering contributions to America’s space program. He worked for NASA as a staff consultant to Werner Von Braun in Huntsville, Alabama. His expertise was programming the rocket trajectories that placed rockets on their proper path, including our first satellite, our first moon probe, our first manned space flight, our first orbital space flight, and our first manned mission to the moon. He and his wife enjoyed their retirement at “The Villages” in Lady Lake, FLorida. In addition to magic, his passions included travel and golf. His magic stage name was “The Great Fly-dini.” Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Doris; son Joseph (Linda), brother Raymond (Billie), and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roger Reid

NORMAN J. LANDRY, JR.

Norman Joseph “Beau” Landry, Jr., 63, of Houston, Texas, died August 20, 2011. His I.B.M. number was 37756, and he had been a member since 1982. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). Born in New Orleans, he lived in Alexandria, Louisiana. He attended Culver Military Academy and Tulane University. He also served as a U.S. Navy officer as a ship’s navigator. He was president of Standard Printing Company, and was a member of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers. Survivors include his wife, Betty, and a large family.

ROBERT V. LEWIS

Robert Victor Lewis, 78, of Del Mar, California, died August 23, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 69516, and he had been a member since 2010. While he took up magic and joined the I.B.M. late in his life, his wife said that it brought him a great deal of happiness and joy. He even took his entire family to the Magic Castle not so long ago, and it was a joyous occasion for everyone.

CHARLES H. LUTZ

Charles H. “Joe” Lutz, 84, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, died October 13, 2011. His I.B.M. member was 22709, and he had been a member since 1969. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Prior to his retirement, he was a Pennsylvania police officer with the rank of corporal. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Survivors include his children: Debbie (Mark) Bizich, Mark, Donna (Randy) Highlands, and Joe (Cindy); grandchildren Jason, Joshua (Melissa), Ryan, Matthew, Lindsey, Andrew, and Shannon; great-granddaughter, Brielle; brother David; and sister-in-law, Alice Masciantonio.

ROBERT K. MACKENZIE

Robert Kenneth MacKenzie, 75, of Antioch, California, died September 22, 2011 of cancer. His I.B.M. number was 65104, and he had been a member since 2004. He had a vast knowledge of mental effects and was a serious magician who performed as a community service. But most people in the San Francisco Bay area knew him as the best feature reporter at KTVU. He also was an avid Argentine Tango dancer, an enthusiastic outdoor sportsman, and a great storyteller. Survivors include his wife Miyuki; daughter Dana; sister Jean; and brother, John.

VINCENT J. MOCCIA

Vincent J. Moccia, 64, of Elmont, New York, died September 20, 2011. His I.B.M. number was 58068, and he had been a member since 1997. He was a member of RIng 244, the Frank Garcia Ring, and of Ring 317, the Ring of Illusion. Magic was a big part of Vinnie’s life for more than forty years. He first became interested in magic in 1968, during his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed it all -- performing, choreographing, directing, creating, and teaching magic. At one time he was the co-producer of The Long Island Magic Festival at Hofstra University, and the Magic and Comedy Show at The Plainview Plaza Hotel. He performed as “Vincent J” and “Magic Enzo.” Survivors include his wife, Patricia, daughters Alyssa and Kristine, and two grandchildren.

MELVIN T. PARKHURST

Melvin T. Parkhurst, 82, of Old Hickory, Tennessee, died October 27, 2011. He was a former member of the I.B.M. He also was a past member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Linda; sons Tom (Debbie) and Ken (Janet); brother Calvin (Dorothy); grandchildren Justin (Annie), Lauren, and Logan; and great-grandchildren Jonathan, Launi, and Mary-Anne.

SEK LEONG PEI

Sek Leong Pei, 62, of Singapore, died September 1, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 30555, and he had been a member since 1987. He was a businessman, in electrical and plumbing, who did a lot of business in China. He performed magic mostly for friends and charities. His main interest in magic was in collecting, building magic props and sets for club shows, and producing magic shows. Among his original illusions was a “Vertical Sawing a Lady in Half.” He had an analytical mind, and enjoyed watching magic videos with his son, Jeremy, and explaining and sketching out how the tricks were done. Jeremy is an international illusionist, who won second place in stage at the I.B.M. San Diego I.B.M. convention. In addition to magic, Sek Leong was interested in opera singing, electronics, and traveling. Survivors include his wife of thirty-five years, Wong Siew Soon; children Jeremy and Ugin; four brothers, three sisters, and one grandchild. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted at his wake.

FRANK P. QUINN

Frank P. Quinn, 89, of Westland, Michigan, died September 28, 2011. His membership number was 64984, and he had been a member since 2004. He was a member of Ring 210, the Hank Moorehouse Ring/Ann Arbor Magic Club, and Ring 88. He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians, and the Magicians for Christ. A World War II veteran, he enjoyed bringing happiness to other people, including being the official greeter and card-sender to people in his church. Survivors include his children: Kathy (David) Anderson, Christine (Andy) Ressel, Kevin, and Michael (Mary); and grandchildren Adam and Ali Anderson, and Mei Li Quinn. A Broken Wand ceremony was conducted in his honor. 

ALBERT F. SWARTZ

The I.B.M. office recently learned that Albert Frederick Swartz, 84, of Cortland, Ohio, died March 9, 2011. He had been an I.B.M. member from 1963 to 2010. He was a member of Ring 2, the Filips-Tutter-Doeright Ring, and the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years of continuous membership). Born in Pennsylvania, he was a Navy veteran. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award in Scouting, sponsored and managed youth baseball, and was an amateur radio operator. He was a self-employed attorney, retiring in 2006. Survivors include children Charles (Linda), Thomas (Patricia), Mark, Philip (Jill), and Susan Sapp; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

CHARLES THORS

Charles Thors, 75, of Nigtevecht, The Netherlands, died September 24, 2011. His I.B.M. number was 36440, and he had been a member since 1981. He was a member of Ring 78, the Fred Kaps Ring, the “Magische Kring Amsterdam,” and the “Nederlandse Magische Unie.” He was a member of the I.B.M. Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He was an active magic performer, specializing in children’s magic; his stage name was Thoraldo. He also was an author. Survivors include his wife, four children (Marten, Micke, Otto, and Ingrid), and two  grandchildren. 

STEPHEN M. YOUNG

Stephen Mitchell Young, 81, of Dalton, Georgia, died October 13, 2011. He was a former member of the I.B.M. He also was a former member of Ring 90 in Albuquerque. A native of Long Island, New York, he graduated from City College of New York and from Columbia University, where he studied music. He played with the Ralph Martieri Band before moving to Los Angeles, where he studied photography. He worked as a photographer for newspapers in North Hollywood and Albuquerque. He also was the Associated Press photographer for New Mexico, and was the official photographer for the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta for many years. He taught photography to many people over the years, and started a photography club in Dalton, his wife’s hometown. He was an active magician, performing at the Magic Castle. Survivors include his wife of over forty years, Glenda.  

RICHARD F. WALLS

Richard Francis Walls, 74, of Dunedin, New Zealand, died October 31, 2011. His I.B.M. membership number was 16035, and he had been a member since 1956. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years of continuous membership). He became interested in magic in the early 1950s when he saw the stage show of The Great Benyon. Later, when he found that a pre-war magic club had disbanded, he helped form the Otago Magic Circle in 1957. It is the southernmost society in the world. He helped form an I.B.M. Ring (160), and became the I.B.M. Territorial Vice President. A versatile magician, he performed under the name Ricarlyn, and preferred cabaret and stage presentations. His dramatic work in his teens added much to his own performances. In addition to performing, he was active in organizing, producing, and directing various shows and productions. Mr. Walls assembled a New Zealand Parade for The Linking Ring in the 1960s, and published them later as a book. He also started a small magic mail order company, Nzedda Magic. He was Mayor of Dunedin 1989-1995, and was a member of Parliament, 1975-1978. He also was chairman of the directors for the local airport, and a justice of the peace. Survivors include his wife, June, and three children.

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