IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR LIFE IN MAGIC
by Dennis Schick • Editor, The I.B.M. Broken Wand

April, 2008

HARRY W. ROSENBERG

Harry W. Rosenberg, 79, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died April 9, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 27481M, was an I.B.M. member since 1974, was a member of the Order of Merlin (over twenty-five years), and of Ring 327, The Fred Petrick "Mombo" Ring.
He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and practiced as a dentist for thirty years.  He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa for twenty years, until 1999. Rosenberg was a professional magician with Harry Blackstone's Magic Troupe. H joined it in 1948, and was with the company for about a year. He and another member of the Troupe, Neil Sweet, opened a magic store in Cincinnati, Ohio.  It wasn't successful, and about the same time he was drafted. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, and many other relatives.

JOHN E. SISSOM

John E. Sissom, 84, of Boulder, Colorado, died April 13, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 7378M, had been an I.B.M. member since 1959, and was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (over thirty-five years). He was best known as Curator of the John F. Kennedy Museum in Dallas, Texas.  In 1981 he closed the operation and donated most of his collection to the Dallas County Historical Foundation. John was a lifelong entertainer. He was employed as a professional magician by Amarillo Power & Light.  He enjoyed discussing all the odd jobs he held over the years: circus rigger, aerial gunnery instructor, stage manager, seller of hot roasted peanuts and cotton candy, and owner of service stations, gift shops, and vending machines. He was a Founding and Life Member of the Texas Association of Magicians, a life member of the Society of American Magicians, and a member of the Masonic Lodge.  He was a charter member of I.B.M. Ring 174 in Dallas. Johnny was a fixture at every Dallas Magic Club lecture.  He was the official lecture recorder with his tripod and camera.  John and wife Estelle's home was a treasure-trove of magic, especially his many magic books. At his funeral in Dallas April 22, S.A.M. National Secretary Chuck Lehr performed a Broken Wand Ceremony in honor of Johnny. (Chuck Lehr)

MARQUIS F. GAREH

Marquis F. "Marco" Gareh, 94, of Chirk, Wrexham, Wales, died April 14, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 16489M, was a member of I.B.M. since 1957, was a member of the British Ring 25, and was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a member). Marco had a truly colorful life.  He was born in Karachi.  He met his wife, Lilo, who had fled Germany with her parents in 1934. They married in Bombay, and had two children, Sonja and Michael.  Marco was a well-known character in Bombay, being an honorary Magistrate for many years, a Deputy Grand Master in his Masonic Lodge, and a Managing Director of a couple of textile factories. While he performed magic mainly for his friends and family, his biggest passion in magic was making personalized high quality props for magicians.  He continued to make props, and mending those brought to him made by others -- usually only charging what it cost him to make -- right up until only a few weeks before he died. Son Mike Gareh, Wales A tribute to Marco Gareh from John Calvert: A bright light has been extinguished, leaving a dark corner in the lives of many friends and relatives. Sonja was with her dad in the early hours of the morning when he slipped away quietly. He was Marco right to the end. I first met Marco Gareh in 1963 in Bombay. He said to me, "John Calvert, I'm going to make a set of cigarette droppers for you that I think you will like." He was so right, they are fantastic, and I use them to this very day. Marco was the President of the Bombay Magic Circle and also the manager of a British firm in India. Marco was an excellent craftsman and fashioned many different magic props. Ray Goulet who owns the Magic Art Studio in Watertown, Massachusetts, has been marketing Marco's Cigarette Droppers, ever since I introduced the two gentlemen some thirty years ago. After the IBM Convention in Eastbourne, Tammy, my daughter Madren and I took a trip to Glasgow where we met Scotland's foremost magician, Alex Proctor and his wife, Anna. Marco in the meantime, had moved back to his home in Wales. We were anxious to see him, so Alex accommodated by driving us all the way to Wales to visit our old friend, where we were treated as royal guests. We enjoyed his tales of magic and delighted to meet a few of his friends and relatives. To our surprise when we went to pay our hotel bill the next morning, Marco had already picked it up. He was that kind of a loving and generous man. Two years have passed and by strange co-incidence, Alex Proctor and his wife, Anna, were visiting us at our home here in Bowling Green, Kentucky. While they were still visiting us a couple of days ago, I thought of Marco and remembered the trip with Alex to visit him in Wales. I mentioned to Alex, we should phone Marco or send him an e-mail. Going to our computer we were stunned. There was a message from Marco's son stating that his father was not well., and not eating or drinking any liquids. The next report we received from his son follows. "A bright light has, this morning, been extinguished, leaving a dark corner in the lives of friends and relatives." Marco was a great friend of mine and a friend of the entire magic fraternity. I shall always miss him and cherish every moment I was privileged to spend with him since 1963 when we first met in Bombay. Marco Gareh was truly a treasure to the art of Magic. 1912-2008 (John Calvert)

WILLIAM H. SCHUERHOLZ

William H. Schuerholz, 88, of Kettering, Ohio, died April 16, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 7778S, had been an I.B.M. member since 1944, and was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (over sixty years). A native of Maryland, he grew up in a Salvation Army family, which allowed him to live in many different parts of the country.  He settled in Kettering after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.  He sang in the Orpheus Male Chorus for many years. Bill followed in his father's footsteps in learning magic at a young age, and became a professional magician, entertaining at many organizations and events.  He was a long-time member of the Kettering Rotary Club. Bill and his wife founded Schuerholz Graphics in 1974 and he was an active member of the local business community.  In 1999 they sold the business to their son, Charles. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Ivy; daughter Jan (Keith) Pearcy; sons William, Jr., Jeffrey, and Charles (Judy); a sister, a granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters

SEYMOUR MAISEL

Seymour Lee "Bud" Maisel, 83, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died April 18, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 26166M, was a member of Ring 90, had been an I.B.M. continuous member since 1973, and was a member of the Order of Merlin. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, for which he received a Purple Heart.  During his life he owned two successful businesses, and started a third career as a real estate agent.  In addition to his interest in magic, Bud was a former president of the Shrine Band, playing the French Horn.  He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and photographer, and was active in many civic organizations.  He was instrumental in launching his son Rick's career as a professional magician and escape artist. Maisel is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Jackie, their children -- including Rick, who is also a Ring 90 member, and several grandchildren.

SHAWN KNOWLES

Shawn Knowles, 42, of South Yorkshire, England, died April 20, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 65067R, had been a member since 2004, and was a member of Ring 25, The British Ring.

CLAUDE PERRY

Claude Perry, 85, of Linton, Cambridgeshire, England, died April 23, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 11393E, had been an I.B.M. member since 1949, was a member of the British Ring 25, and was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (fifty years).

Claude was a friend of mine for forty years, many of those as president of the Pentacle Club.  He also was a member of the Ipswich Magical Society, and the Magic Circle, in which he had been a Member of the Inner Magic Circle (MIMC) since the 1940s.  

His interest in magic started with a magic set at the age of ten, and developed over the years.  He gained a great deal of performing experience during World War II, including the "Stars in Battledress" show in Germany.   After the war he joined a firm of accountants.  He always saved the bulk of his annual leave for the Christmas period, in order to give children's shows during the season.  He held a record thirty-eight years of repeat bookings at a local school.  He retired from performing at age eighty-four.

He appreciated all styles of performing, but preferred to keep things simple, with plenty of humor. A favorite saying of his, when he saw a large, complicated magic prop, was: "What a lot of bother, and what a lot to carry!" Claude was always willing to help others.  Many younger magicians developed their proficiency and presentational skills under his wing, and some of them went on to achieve considerable success with their magic. His fast patter for his stand-up act had so many quick gags that the laughter merged happily with the applause he received. Claude was a good friend and an entertaining performer. He will be greatly missed. (John Davenport)

ROBERT C. SABIN

Robert C. Sabin, 79, of Bellevue, Nebraska, died April 27, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 24133M, was aa I.B.M. member since 1971, and was a member of the Order Merlin Shield (over thirty-five years).

MARVIN MERLE MCCOY

Marvin Merle McCoy, 74, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died April 30, 2008.  He held I.B.M. number 28989M, had been a member since 1975, and was a member of the Order of Merlin (over thirty years). Music was a major part of his life. He played the Swiss alphorn in many festivals, and was a professional French hornist and horn instructor.  He performed with Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Opera, Chicago Little Symphony, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and Dick Schory's Percussion Pops Orchestra.  He also owned a music publishing company and repaired musical instruments. He is survived by his daughters, Terry Preston (Paul), Linn Kezar (Dennis), and Janet Taubel (Jerome); son Paul McCoy (Sheri); thirteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; loving companion Betty Spaude; and many other relatives.