15 magicians honored in October 2013 Broken Wand
Category: Broken Wand Posted by: I.B.M. Website Editor
The October 2013 Broken Wand in The Linking Ring pays tribute to fifteen magicians in a final salute to them for their many years of making people laugh. It is always a privilege to celebrate the lives of those who gave of themselves over the years. These will be printed in the October 2013 issue of The Linking Ring. That issue will appear here on October 1 -- either as a PDF download, or in digital form. Of course hard copies should be delivered by way of the U.S. Postal Service, by the end of the first week of October.
WILLIAM J. BRENNER
William Jay Brenner, 61, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, died September 1, 2013. He was a member of the Society of American Magicians, and was past president of the Mystic Magicians of Beaver Valley. By vocation he was a locksmith at Geneva College; but his passion was magic. For thirty years he was a regular performer at gatherings throughout the area, as well as on the Gateway Clipper Fleet in Pittsburgh, and across the country. He was a magic mentor who freely shared his magic with others; many magicians got their start from him. He took up magic at age twelve when he picked up a magic book. His father, Myron, encouraged and nourished him. Later, he developed an act with fellow magician Rich Howard, which they called the Hayseed Brothers. M&M candies were his trademark, and they were handed out at his Broken Wand Ceremony. There was even a "M&M Toast." True to form, one magician said, "Hey, I got Ws." Survivors include his wife of fourteen years, Kathy; children Matthew, Corrie (Gary) Klobchar, Billy Wiley, and Erica Wiley; four grandchildren; and a brother, Myron (Flora). Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellwood City Area Public Library, 415 Lawrence Ave., Ellwood City, PA 16117.
GLENN P. EBERHARDT
Glenn Paul Eberhardt, 64, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died July 24, 2013. He was a former member of the I.B.M. for fourteen years. He was a member of Ring 211 (Grand Rapids), where he was known as "Fumbles." Born in New Jersey, he spent his youth in Nyack, New York. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology. In addition to magic and books, music was important to him, including participating in the Michigan Jazz Society and the Grand Rapids Harmonica Club. He taught music all over Europe when he lived there, and assisted with music at All Spirits Community Church, and 7 Theaters, both in Holland, to which memorial contributions may be made. Survivors include his son, Werner; mother, Doris; brother, Dale; and sister, Bonnie.
J.L. GILLES FONTAINE
The I.B.M. Headquarters recently was notified that J.L. Gilles Fontaine, 86, of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, died September 19, 2012. Born in Quebec City, he was the son of a banker, and became one himself. At age ten he saw a performance by Harry Blackstone, Sr. and it inspired him to take up magic as a hobby, collecting magic books, subscribing to magic magazines, and practicing for hours. He became "Gilles the Magician," and performed for children and senior citizens whenever and wherever he could. He even taught magic at a local elementary school.
ARTHUR GADSBY
The I.B.M. Office recently learned that Arthur Gadsby, 86, of Hong Kong, and Zambales, Phillippines, died February 8, 2013. His I.B.M. membership number was 34982 and he had been a member since 1979. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was an honorary member of Ring 322 (Quezon City). He was a professional mentalist in his younger years and was successful in Europe. He was in the advertising business, one of his employers being Cathay Pacific Airlines. He was an antiques collector, including snuff bottles, jade sculptures, and jewelry. Survivors include his wife, Estela and a son.
MELVIN L. GOODENOUGH
Melvin Leroy Goodenough, 81, of Placerville, California, died July 27, 2013, after a battle with cancer. His I.B.M. number was 51428, and he had been a member since 1994. He was a member of Ring 197 (Marietta, Ohio), and Ring 192 (Sacramento). He also was one of the founding members of Assembly 112, the Society of American Magicians, and served as their president three times. He also helped form Ye Olde Wizards, a monthly luncheon for veteran magicians. He performed magic is "Leroy the Magician." For a period he performed a Tribute Show to Jimmy Durante. Survivors include a sister, Myrna; brother, Jack; six children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
JOHN P. JACKSON
John Peter (JP) Jackson, 77, of San Diego, California, died August 8, 2013. His I.B.M. member number was 32602 and he had been a member since 1978. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 76 (San Diego). Born in Chicago, he grew up in Wisconsin. When his father returned from a business trip, he would bring a gag or magic trick, mostly one of the Adams Magic Products. That started him in magic; he still has some of those early tricks. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy he served in the U.S. Navy for thirty years. He put aside magic for twenty years, but his interest was rekindled when he walked into a magic store, and magic stayed with him the rest of his life. According to one report, his house became a mini-Magic Castle, full of magic collectibles. Survivors include three sons, Patrick, Michael, and Jay; and his sister, Jean Schaefle.
JON LECLAIR
Jon LeClair, 47, of North Port, Florida, died September 10, 2013. He held I.B.M. number 39842 since 1984. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 303 (Ft. Myers, Florida). He was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He became inspired by magic at a young age, and it became a life-long avocation, and then a vocation. He wrote the best-selling book, "The Art of Invisible Thread," which later was translated into French. Among survivors are his wife of twenty-one years, Kuniko; his parents, Jack and Pam LeClair, Sherry and Milford Garness; and brother Jack (Lynn).
HARRY L. MACHIN, JR.
Harry Lester Machin, Jr., 83, of St. Louis, Missouri, died August 31, 2013. His I.B.M. member number was 33128, and he had been a member since 1978. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 1 (St. Louis). He grew up in Kansas, and served in the Korean conflict. In 1964 he received his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota, and moved to St. Louis, joining the staff at St. Louis Community College at Meramec, as a professor philosophy and logic, retiring in 2000. Harry was fascinated with magic all his life, becoming primarily an avid magic historian and collector (with an extensive magic library). But he also was a performer, mostly to family and friends. He was most noted as the Scribe for his Ring, never missing a deadline for submitting the Ring Report for thirty years. He also was a faithful attendee to both the I.B.M. annual convention, and the Midwest Magic Jubilee, where he was the official photographer. Survivors include his wife, Beverly, and sons Richard and Bryan and their families.
RICHARD L. NEWTON
Richard (Dick) Leroy Newton, 86, of Novito, California, died August 24, 2013. His I.B.M. member number was 49370, and he had been a member since 1993. Born and reared in Seattle, he caught the magic bug after seeing a magician perform. He developed skills and knowledge from books, watching magicians work, and practice, lots of practice. As a junior in college he got the opportunity to "run away and join a spook show," and did. That led to show management and theater management opportunities and experience. Later, he moved into radio and television station positions, which took him coast to coast. He took early retirement from broadcasting to move back to San Francisco, and launch a second career, in magic. He billed himself as "America's Least Annoying Magician." A 1993 visit to the DIckens House Museum in London provided the inspiration to create an act built around the actual magic which Dickens once performed. He took the act all over the country and England, and appeared on the cover as Charles Dickens of the December 2005 issue of The Linking Ring. The three pages inside give more details of his life and careers. Survivors include his wife Marjorie (Marj); children Sandi, Leslie, and Rick (and their families); and three grandchildren. A Dick Newton Children's Magic Foundation is being established.
RAYMOND PARKER
Raymond (Ray) Parker, 84, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, died July 15, 2013. His I.B.M. number was 65306, and he had been a member since 2005. He was a member of Ring 183 (Victoria). Born in England, he performed his first show at age eleven as a puppeteer. He quickly expanded his skills to include clowning, mime, dance, singing, and stand-up comedy. At eighteen, he performed in East Africa while in the British armed forces. He developed an impersonation act which led to theater, BBC television and radio engagements. In 1965, he and his young family immigrated to Canada, where his entertainment career continued to flourish. His acts included his children as a family of clowns, performing vaudeville slapstick comedy. At the age of fifty, he fell in love with magic. In 1989 he developed the character of Town Crier, and appeared as one of the top-rated town criers in the world, including greeting Queen Elizabeth during her Jubilee Year. His most popular magic character was The Mad Hatter. Survivors include his wife, Nora; children Raymond, Joanne, and Adrian; sisters Rita and Joan (in England); seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and extended family in Vancouver and England. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Victoria Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation, 1952 Bay St., Victoria, BC V8R 1J8.
NOLAN C. ROBINSON
Nolan Charles Robinson, 73, of Cartersville, Georgia, died June 10, 2013. His I.B.M. number was 33495, and he had been a member since 1978. A native Atlantan, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a Master's Degree in counseling, and went to work for Chick-Fil-A; he retired after twenty-five years there, as Vice President of Administration. He also was an educator, teaching elementary school. In addition to magic, he loved traveling with his wife, and motorcycles. Among his memberships was the Marietta Hot Dog Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary; son Mark (Leigh); granddaughters Lauren and Lindsey; and sister MaryEm Byce.
MILDRED E. ROMER
Mildred E. Romer, 88, of Shallotte, North Carolina, died January 12, 2013. Her I.B.M. number was 22581, and she had been a member since 1969. She was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). She was born in New Jersey, and was one of those people who always like to get things done. She was a member of the Eastern Star, past president of the New Jersey Plumbers Association, and was active in her church. She helped start the New Jersey recycling program, when she and her husband worked there for the state of New Jersey. She and her husband, Bill, were members of both Ring 200 (North Brunswick, New Jersey). and Ring 334 (Myrtle Beach). Survivors include her husband of sixty-five years, William; daughter Wendy Wagner; and four grandchildren: William Sturgis, Kevin Sturgis, Kenneth Namowicz, and Cheryl Riesel. Mrs. Romer was a thirty-six-year cancer survivor, and memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2202 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 111, Wilmington, NC 28403.
SRI G. SUBBARAJU
Sri Gokaraju Subbaraju, 93, of Vijayawada, India, died June 17, 2013. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1988-2007). He completed his college education in the United States. He started pharmaceutical companies in India and was a successful businessman. He also entered politics, becoming friends with prime ministers and presidents of India. At the age of sixty-five, he saw the Magic Star Bose Show and became intrigued. He approached Dr. Bose and started learning magic from him. He grew in magic, giving his own shows using the name "Raja Indrajit."
JACQUES TANDEAU
The I.B.M. headquarters has learned that Jacques Tandeau, 80, of Paris, France, died August 16, 2013 in his sleep. He was a former member of the I.B.M. He was known as one of the top cardicians of France. He was the author of a well-respected book on card magic, "Les Cartes en Magie Rapprochee." His close friendship with Dai Vernon led to his bringing Mr. Vernon to France to lecture at the Mayette Magic Shop in the 1960s. He was an inspiration to many of today's French magicians.
PAUL H. TRATTNER
Paul H. Trattner, 70, of Baltimore, Maryland, died August 28, 2013. He held I.B.M. number 39276 since 2001. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and began teaching art in 1965. Later he became a graphic arts designer and Webmaster at Baltimore city schools headquarters, retiring in 2002. He had a parallel career as a magician, psychic reader, palmist, Egyptologist, and astrologer, as well as a widely known Santa Claus. He used magic in his classrooms, as well as to entertain audiences far and wide. His wife was his assistant, as they performed at clubs, parties, senior centers, weddings, and even on cruise ships, and at the Magic Circle in London. He lived and breathed magic, working the history of magic into his presentations. He considered himself a "purveyor of wonderment," telling children, "You are the magic. Believe in yourself." His car license plate was, U R MAGIC. Survivors include his wife of forty-six years, Bernadette; brother Michael; a nephew and four nieces.