Nine Magicians Honored in January Broken Wand

BROKEN WAND FOR JANUARY 2016

PAUL M. BOULICAULT

Paul M. Boulicault, 75, of St. Louis, Missouri, died November 25, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2001-2008). He was a long time attendee of the Magic Roundtable meetings and performed magic for over fifty years. He was the brother of Esther Gilliland and the late Alfred, Ernestine, Emil, Leon, Ernest Jr., Marguerite and Maurice. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

RONALD L. GIBBS

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters was notified that Ronald Leigh Gibbs, 65, of Weddington, North Carolina, died November 2, 2013 of pneumonia and chronic lung disease. His I.B.M. member number was 33672, and he had been a member since 1978. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Born in Los Angeles, California, he graduated from the University of Southern California and the University of Texas. He worked for Dow Chemical Company for twenty-five years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Midland, Michigan. He was one of the early adopters of the Apple computer and became an expert in the fields of imaging and networking and was in widespread demand as a lecturer. He was an accomplished magician, and also loved photography and geology. Survivors at the time of his death were his wife of thirty-seven years, Marylu, brother-in-law Don Benton; sisters-in-law Rebecca (Bob) Boeschel, and Amy (Cliff) Ritchie; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club, 5134 Dunes Court, Charlotte, NC 28226, or the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts, P.O. Box 980, Young Harris, GA 30582.

BRUCE G. HAMLIN

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters was notified that Bruce G. Hamlin, 79, of Portland, Michigan, died August 23, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 16833, and he had been a member since 1958. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years a continuous member). Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea. He worked for TRW in Portland from 1960 until he retired in 1996. In addition to magic, he was active in the Boy Scouts, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Methodist church. Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Beverly; children Timothy (Cindy), Terri Sue Price, Matthew (Marilyn), Jennifer Schyllander, and Mark (Andrea); eight grandchildren; and brother Tom (Nina). Memorial contributions may be made to the Portland United Methodist Church, 310 Bridge St., Portland, MI 48875; or the National Kidney Foundation.

JOHN A. HARDMAN

John Aldon Hardman, 80, of Dallas, Texas, died November 4, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. He attended Michigan State University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked in television in Wichita Falls and Dallas. He had puppet shows at Six Flags parks nationally for more than thirty years. He also wrote the “World on a String” show for the Texas State Fair and Six Flags parks. Survivors include his wife Patricia (Patti); son, John (Julie); step-daughters Devon (John) Caldarera, Doran (Tim) Garrett, and Bronwyn Garrett; sister Rosemary (Joey) Chardukian; and grandsons Robin, Timothy, and David. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pediatric Center at Texas Oncology, 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75251.

LARRY HEIL

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters was notified that Larry Heil, 80, of Azle, Texas, died December 5, 2014. His I.B.M. member number was 11750, and he had been a member since 1950. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (sixty years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 15 (Fort Worth, Texas), and the Society of American Magicians. Born in Topeka, Kansas, he graduated from the University of Kansas, served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, and retired after twenty-five years from the Naval Reserve. He moved to Fort Worth in 1972 to work for McDonald Transit, rising to become the CEO. He was active as a Freemason, with fifty-nine years of service. He began performing magic at an early age and his passion lasted his entire life. Survivors include his wife, Karen; children Nancy, Tricia David and Robert; step-daughter, Amy Kaplan-Needham; sisters, Susan Wallace and Marcia Johnston; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted at the 2015 Magic & Meaning conference held by the McBride Magic and Mystery School. Memorial contributions may be made to the Azle Animal Shelter, Box 2091, Azle, TX 76098, or the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, TC 76103.

JOHN B. MORRIS IV

The I.B.M. Headquarters recently was notified that John Bartholomew Morris IV, 68, of Nashville, Tennessee, died August 4, 2014. His I.B.M. member number was 21807, and he had been a member since 1979. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 37 (Nashville, Tennessee), and Ring 252 (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), and the Society of American Magicians. He graduated from Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee, and was a Civil Engineer Supervisor for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and a Sanitary Engineer Specialist with the Waste Water Pumping Facilities across Tennessee. His interest in magic began in the late 1950s. In his early years he performed a Chavez-type act having been mentored by one of the first Chavez graduates, Charles Walker. In the 1970s he opened and operated a magic store in Nashville. He performed at magic conventions and private engagements and on local television shows. His only survivor is his wife, Patricia.

NELSON C. NICHOLSON

Nelson C. Nicholson, 82, of Orange, Connecticut, died November 2, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 19120, and he had been a member since 1963. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 59 (New Haven, Connecticut), of which he was the Dean. He was well respected as both a performer, and as a collector of magic books, posters, props and other material. Survivors include his wife, Carol.

ANDY PAIK

Recently the I.B.M. headquarters was notified that Andy Paik, 49, of Hawthorne, California, died February 23, 2015. Born and reared in California, he graduated from the University of California at Berkley in 1988. According to several Internet posts, he was an accomplished stage magician, as well as being a passionate supporter of the environment, the wilderness and the outdoors. He was frequently interviewed by the mass media and was well-known in Reclaiming circles. He was longtime member of Earth First and Cascadia Forest Defenders. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted at the 2015 Magic & Meaning conference held by the McBride Magic and Mystery School. Among survivors is his wife, Karen.

RICKY SZEWCZYK

Ricky Szewczyk, 68, of Macomb, Illinois, died October 9, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 71680, and he had been a member since 2014. He was a member of Ring 11 (Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois). He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians. Using the stage name “Sir Richard,” he loved to perform for anyone, anywhere, from fellow magicians and children birthday parties, to nursing homes and corporate meetings. In addition to magic, other passions included the outdoors, mushroom hunting, and playing chess. He also was a practicing survivalist and had an amazing memory. Survivors include his wife, Becky; sons Dale and Chris, and daughter Tonya Delaney. A GoFundMe account has been established to help with expenses: www.gofundme.com/szewczyks.

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