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The International Brotherhood of Magicians

01 Oct

Broken Wand for October 2012 honors five magicians

Category: Broken Wand   Posted by: I.B.M. Website Editor

The Broken Wand which will appear in the October 2012 issue of The Linking Ring, will pay tribute to five magicians who have died, with obituaries. We print these obituaries early, so friends can contact the families sooner. One of them died in 2011, and another in 2010. The I.B.M. Office only found out about their deaths recently. Once again, we ask everyone and anyone, to please report any death of a magician or magician's assistant, to the I.B.M. Office as soon as possible. Please don't assume we already know.

MALCOLM G. HASTINGS

The I.B.M. office recently learned of the death of Malcolm G. Hastings, 72, of Arcola, Louisiana, on November 1, 2010. His member number was 43060, and he had been a member since 1988. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, he was a longtime teacher and coach. In addition to the I.B.M., he was a member of the Society of American Magicians, and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. Survivors at the time of his death included his wife, Sylvia; five children: Gwendolyn (Johnny) Autin, Malcolm “Bo” (Glenda), William (Mary), Benjamin (Brittany), and Brynn (Sam) Campo; twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

AL LOEFFLER

Al Loeffler, 78, of Venice, Florida, died August 4, 2012, after a long battle with cancer. His I.B.M. member number was 66856, and he had been a member since 2007. He was a member of Ring 81, the Inez Blackstone Kitchen Ring. Born in New York City, he spent his last twelve years in Florida. He was a plant manager early in his career, and helped start an electronics company in his retirement. He was president of Ring 81 in 2010 and served until he became ill. His interest in magic was long and deep, and he enjoyed performing for children, and was a mentor with the Big Brother organization. Survivors include his wife, Mary; son Chris; daughter Margaret (Peter) Azouz; grandchildren Rylan, Adam and Alison; and sister Helen McAulifftte. Memorial donations may be made to Unity Church,125 N. Jackson Road, Venice, FL 34292, or to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted in his memory.

MICHAEL KAPLIT

The I.B.M. recently was notified of the death of Michael Kaplit, 71, of Wilmington, Maryland, on April 10, 2011. His I.B.M. member number was 17402 and he had been a member since 1977. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Originally from Chicago, he also had lived in Philadelphia, Birmingham, Michigan, and Raleigh, North Carolina. He was an alumni of M.I.T. and the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an engineering consultant for nearly fifty years. In addition to magic, he was an avid photographer, opera buff, and traveler. Survivors at the time of his death included his daughter, Marilyn Ackerman; two grandsons; and a sister Penny Zervos.

ROBERT KARLEBACH

Robert (Bob) Karlebach, 85, of Dallas, Texas, died September 2, 2012. His I.B.M. membership number was 7202, and he had been a member since 1965, but went inactive in 2007. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He was born in Manheim, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1939 at age 11. As a youngster, and still trying to learn English, a librarian loaned him a book on magic, and he was hooked. He grew up in New York City, working at Tennen's magic store after he graduated from high school. He joined the U.S. Army, and upon returning from two years service, he went to synagogue to offer thanks for his safe return, and met his wife there. They moved to Dallas, the hub of his sales territory. He incorporated magic and humor in his sales career, and was a favorite of his customers and friends. His passions were his family, performing magic, and Shearith Israel Synagogue. He was active in both the local chapters of the I.B.M. and the Society of American Magicians, as well as the Texas Association of Magicians, which he served as president. Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Eve; three children: Jerilyn (Paul) Anderson, Dave, and Dan (Sondra); and six grandchildren. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted by Ring 174 in his honor.

MATTHEW O. KRASOWSKI

The I.B.M. office has been notified that Matthew O. Krasowski, 92, of Seattle, Washington died recently. His member number was 64443 and he had been a member since 2003. He was a former member of Ring 313, the John Fedko Ring. This is all the information we have been able to locate on him.


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