The I.B.M. Blog & Articles

The International Brotherhood of Magicians

30 Jun

7 Magicians Honored in July 2017 Broken Wand

Category: Broken Wand   Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK

                                          BROKEN WAND FOR JULY 2017



STEVEN M. BUCCI

 

The I.B.M. Headquarters office recently learned that Steven M. Bucci, 56, of Penn Hills (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, died December 25, 2016. His I.B.M. member number was 68691, and he had been a member since 2009. He was a Eucharistic minister at Saint Bartholomew Church, in addition to being an amateur magician, a lover of Starbucks, a photographer, and a loyal customer of Mystery Lovers Bookstore. Survivors at the time of his death were his father, James; brother, Michael (Melody); and several nieces and nephews. 

 

RAY FRANCAS

 

The I.B.M. Headquarters office has received word from Maria Ibanez that Ray Francas, President of Entidad Magica Argentina (E.M.A.), has lost his life in an accident. He was killed when he was hit by a passing motorcyclist. He was a very well known and highly-respected member of the magic scene in Buenos Aires.

 

ROBERT P. INGALLS


Robert (Bob) P. Ingalls, 84, of Yuma, Arizona, died May 12, 2017, after a short illness. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2013-2014). He also was a member of Ring 76 (San Diego, California), of which he was a two-time past president; and the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. He was a lifetime member of both. Born in Chicago, Bob caught the magic bug from his father, who had a long-time interest in magic. When his father died when Bob was ten, the family moved to Southern California. After high school, he worked for a frozen food company, and said that doing magic tricks helped him bring in new customers. After meeting and marrying his wife, Judy, he went to work for her father’s home decorating business. They had one son, Chris. After suffering a mid-life heart attack and having by-pass surgery, Bob devoted all his time doing magic shows. He created a clever lecture and show for civic and fraternal organizations which was very popular. He attended many I.B.M. conventions, helping with registration and emceeing Big Three programs. In 2010 his health declined, prompting a move to warmer Yuma, Arizona. Ring 76 conducted a Broken Wand Ceremony in his honor.

 

GEORGE W. MATHIS


George Woodrow Mathis, 82, of Gross Ile, Michigan, died June 19, 2017. His I.B.M. membership number was 52158, and he had been a member since 1995 (twenty-two years). He also was a member of Ring 22 (Detroit, Michigan), Ring 210 (Ann Arbor, Michigan), and the Society of American Magicians Assembly 88. Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Barbara; children, Jeannie, George (Michele), and Wendy (Thomas) Drouillard; grandchildren, Nate, Miranda (Joe) George, Cory, and Cody (Chelsey); two great-grandchildren; and sisters Millie Bardell, and Helen (Wayne) Berke.

 

WILLIAM H. MCILHANY


William (Bill) H. McIlhany, 66, of Los Angeles, California, died May 4, 2017. He held I.B.M. membership number 25165 since 1984 (thirty-three years). He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 96 (Long Beach, California). He was a magician, and consultant for magic films, videos, and still graphics. He also was a major magic collector who specialized in historic magic films. In 1994, he became the Film and Video Archivist for the Magic Castle. He found and released major magic works on film, including several of Harry Houdini. In recent years he worked with Todd Karr to release various DVD collections of rare magic footage, including Vintage Magic Films. He was the Director of Research for such films as Heroes of Magic, and Mysteries of Magic. He lived in Los Angeles with his wife, Bobbie, who survives him.

 

BRUCE W. MYERS


Bruce W. Myers, 87, of West Hanover Township (Harrisburg), Pennsylvania, died April 6, 2017. His I.B.M. number was 16778, and he had been a member since 1957. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (sixty years a continuous member). Born in Lititz, Pennsylvania, during the Korean War he served in the U.S. Air Force. After being discharged, he graduated from the Bowman Watchmaking School where he learned to become an expert at watchmaking and watch repair. After retiring from the watch business, he continued to work. At Penn State Hershey Medical School he was a standardized patient. He worked at Chocolate World, and for several years led Segway tours at Hotel Hershey. Volunteering was also a big part of his life, driving for the American Cancer Society. helping at the Hershey Theatre, and delivering for Meals on Wheels.  Bruce was known as “Chipso” the Clown and Magician. He worked throughout Central Pennsylvania and performed hundreds of shows at Hershey Park. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; children Cheryl Diem (Kerry), and Craig (Janet); step-children Laura Heemer, Laynie Price, Clif Overby, and Katy Denny; sisters Lois Shank and Doris Ellinger; three grandchildren, and six step-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Carolyn’s House, Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, www.hospiceofcentralpa.org

 

ROBERT D. PALMER

 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters office learned that Robert David Palmer, 52, of Concord, New Hampshire, died January 22, 2017. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2015-16). Born in Claremont, New Hampshire, he was a U.S. Navy veteran. Following his discharge he returned to New Hampshire and worked in several area businesses. He attended New Hampshire Technical Institute, majoring in the arts. He earned a Black Belt in Karate, loved animals, and was involved in a clown group; he loved to entertain children as a clown. Survivors include his mother, Jean; his father; and brother, Bill (Linda). Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Bow Mills Methodist Church, 505 South Street, Bow, NH 03304.  

 

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