Ken Krenzel was born and raised on the Lower East Side of New York. At the age of seven he saw a marionette
show at his school and, in his
words, it started his “ life-long and passionate love of magic and all things
magical” As a youngster, Ken became
a charter member of F.A.M.E.
(Future American Magical Entertainers) run by Dr. Abraham Hurwitz , known as
Peter Pan The Magic Man. This amazing group of young magicians would become
major players in our magic world. *
As Ken grew up he pursued the study of psychology in college and
eventually earned a Ph.D. He was a
Diplomate in the American Board of
Professional Psychology. Ken had served for many years as Psychologist for the
Board of Education in the City
of New York where he eventually became a supervisor
of School Psychologists. He was a
member of the board and vice president of the Executive Committee of the New York Psychotherapy and
Counseling Center before going into private practice.
In his magic, he became well
known as a leading exponent of expert sleight-of-hand with cards. He has published material in various
magic journals: The Gen, Genii, MUM, Hugard’s Magic Monthly, Phoenix,
Hierophant, Kabbala, Epilogue, New Jinx, Apocalypse, and the Minotaur. His art
has been featured in books like “The Card Classics of Ken Krenzel “in 1978.
His ‘Ingenuities” book is much sought
after. He was always recognized as the “magicians’ magician.”
In 1993 Ken was the Parent Assembly # 1 Society of American Magicians
“Magician of the Year” and became its “Dean” in October of 2011. Ken was always a proponent of
keeping the “secrecy” of magic and played a role in combating “exposure” of magic effects. He often mused that; “I never have to worry about falling into a
second childhood. Magic has kept me in my first childhood. “ Long time friend Rabbi Noach
Valley officiated at the funeral where the “broken wand” service was performed by Dean George Schindler
*Ken’s contemporaries were Howard Schwarzman, George Schindler , Albert
Goshman Harry Lorayne, Jack London, Victor Sendax, Sol Stone, Jerry Bergman, George Gilbert,
and Frank
Garcia. He was
also
mentored by Ed Balducci and was befriended by Dai Vernon,
Slydini, Cliff Green,and Charlie Miller.
** A full biography appears in the September 1993 M-U-M
magazine.
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Ruth Ann (Fonda) Pitts Ruth Ann Pitts
of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on December 22, 2011 following a brief
illness. Ruth Ann Taylor was born January 19, 1928; she lived in the Saratoga,
NY area for many years and was a graduate from Ballston Spa High School. Ruth
moved to Scotia, NY in 1959 when she married Clark Fonda, who pre-deceased her
in 1998. Ruth and Clark were professional magicians, known as "The Fabulous
Fondas" who performed locally and traveled extensively throughout the world on
many cruise ships. She was also a popular and talented solo magician, and
enjoyed the unofficial title of "Goddess of Gaslight Village" in Lake George.
Ruth was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
and the Society of American Magicians (SAM), and was an avid bowler and talented
artist. Ruth married Bill Pitts in 2000, and relocated to Fort Smith, Arkansas
where she enjoyed many years performing magic shows with Bill throughout the
country, and being very active in their church and American Legion Auxiliary
organizations. Ruth is survived by her husband, Bill Pitts, of Fort Smith, AR;
her four loving daughters: Janice Baird of Ballston Spa, NY; Patricia Fonda of
Briarwood, NY; Susan Dunbar of Galway, NY; and Jo Newell of Amherst, NH. She is
also survived by her step brother, Willis White; seven grandchildren: Jeremy
Baird, Jeffery Baird, Jason Baird, Jessica Creter, Adam Dunbar, Anjelica Newell,
and Sam Newell; and five great grandchildren: Andrew Baird, Collin Baird, Hayden
Cahill, Mattingly Creter, and Sebastian Creter, as well as numerous step
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Ruth was an eternal optimist
who kept her focus on the bright side of life, and frequently quoted, "the show
must go on!" Memorial Service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on Monday
December 26, 2011 Calling hours 10 AM Memorial Service at 11 at Christ Episcopal
Church 15 West High St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Published
in The Saratogian on December 24, 2011
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Haglund, Leo Gunnar 83 March 24, 1928 Nov. 25, 2011 Leo is survived by Willamae, his best friend an loving wife of 62 years; sons, Lee and Linn, their wives, Trudy and Deby; and grandchildren, Gunnar, Samantha and Olivia. An avid snow-skier, woodworker, swimmer, boater and magician, Leo enjoyed Timberline Lodge, was a longtime member of Multnomah Athletic Club, Hayden Island Yacht Club, The Society of American Magicians, and the Masonic Lodge. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice . Private committal services held at Willamette National Cemetery. By Leo's request a "party" will be at the Beaverton Elks, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at 2 p.m.
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Ed died
peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the age of 82. He was born in Pine Grove, WV on October 18,
1928. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and worked as an
electrician in the diesel shop at National Steel in Weirton, WV, for 32 years.
Ed was a magician for
60 years and did clowning for 33 years.
His clown name was Kirk the Magic Clown.
His interest in magic started at age 16 with a neighbor buying magic and
Ed reading how to do it and teaching the neighbor’s son. He loved entertaining children. No matter where he went, he carried magic in
his pocket. He was also a great balloon
maker and carried some balloons with him wherever he was. He donated his time for the Cancer Society,
Heart Association, and nursing homes. He
helped start many people in Magic. He
was a member of the Mystic Magicians of Beaver Valley, PA (Assembly #157), the
International Brotherhood of Magicians 28366m, Masonic Lodge 22 of New
Cumberland, and the World Clown Association
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The Society of American Magicians joins the world of magic in mourning the death of William (Bill) Andrews, Past National President of the S.A.M.
Bill was a phenomenal ambassador for the S.A.M., promoting the highest standards of professionalism, while investing himself in the lives of up and coming entertainers in the SYM, and serving as the consummate encourager to those who were blessed to be touched by him.
The NACM competition held in Pittsburgh last week at the S.A.M. 2011 Conference was dedicated to Bill Andrews. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through the lives of those he dramatically influenced.
Vinny Grosso, M.I. National President
Rev. Michael Douglass, PNP
National Chaplain
INFORMATION ABOUT MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Saturday, July 23, 2011. 2:00 PM
Villa Maria School is located in Stamford, Connecticut, five minutes north
of the Merritt Parkway. It is one hour north of New York City, 30 minutes
west of White Plains, and approximately an hour’s drive from Hartford.
From the Merritt Parkway
Take Exit 35. Turn left; travel two miles north on High Ridge Road (bear
right at fork). Turn left onto Sky Meadow Drive. Villa Maria is located at
the top of the hill on the right. Use the driveway on the west (far) side of
the property.
From Pound Ridge, New York
Take Route 137 (High Ridge Road) south to Stamford. Turn right onto Sky
Meadow Drive, about 1.3 miles south of the Long Ridge Fire Department.
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Hank Moorehouse, Past National President, and iconic influencer and promoter of the art of magic around the world, has died in China while on tour with a troop performing close-up magic.
There are few details at this time, and with the American Embassy in China being closed over the holiday weekend, more information will not be available until later next week.
Our National Convention in Pittsburgh has long been planned to honor Hank and celebrate his life. According to S.A.M. Ambassador Brad Jacobs, P.N.P., Jackie Moorehouse has requested that the Convention proceed with a celebration of Hank's life.
Hank's incredible vision, international network of magicians, and tremendous creativity helped shape and propel the S.A.M. into the 21st Century. We honor him as a Compeer, Past National President, and of course, the long-time Executive Producer of our Convention shows and lectures.
With heavy hearts, but grateful for his friendship, and blessed by his artistry,
Mark Weidhaas, National President
Rev. Michael Douglass, P.N.P, National Chaplain
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Kim
M. Zimmerman, 56, of Orangeville, IL passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at St.
Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. Kim was born February 10,1955 in
Freeport, IL to Raymond and Cheryl Zimmerman.
After high school of
Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, IL (Class of 1975), He attended
National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, NY in 1975 to 1978 to
studied the architectural. He worked for a small architectural business
for five years. Kim then worked at O'Hare International Airport as a mailer
handler from 1984 until retiring in 2010. Kim and his brother, Dean, then
moved to Orangeville from Wheeling, IL. He loves his Dalmatians: Donnie,
Max, and Angel, who was deaf. Kim was interested in many things including
reading, history, travel and many different parts of the world.
Kim was a
member of the SAM and IBM since 1976, collage time. He was a Life Member
(#82) of SAM and IBM.
He is survived by one sister, Rae Helland of Juda,
WI and one brother, Dean of Orangeville, IL; a nephew Troy Helland of Palmetto,
FL, Kristi Helland, Monroe, WI and Aunt Shirley Kleckler of Winslow, IL.
Numerours cousins.
Kim was preceded in death by his parents and his three
beloved dogs: Donnie, Max, and Angel.
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HOLYOKE
– Sidney H. Radner, an amateur magician who built one of the world’s
largest collections of Harry Houdini memorabilia died Sunday at the age
of 91. The New York Times is reporting the cause of death was cancer. He died in his hometown of Holyoke.
Radner was the president of the American Rug Company of Holyoke, which
was started by his father and is being operated by his son today. He became fascinated with magic at the age of 9 when he read a book
about it. He later became proficient at escaping from handcuffs and
straight jackets. He also became an expert on gambling and cheating and
often lectured on how to identify crooked gamblers.
By the time Radner was 16, the Holyoke boy was billing himself as
“America’s Foremost Juvenile Escape Artist.” That same year, 1935,
Sidney met Harry Houdini’s brother Hardeen at the Kimball Hotel in
downtown Springfield.
Republican file photoThis device used to pick locks by Harry Houdini was part of Radner's collection. Hardeen took him under his wing and he either gave or sold Radner some of
Houdini’s equipment including the famous Chinese water torture cell, several straitjackets, handcuffs, letters and photographs.
One of Radner’s more recent projects was
to create an interactive museum at 147 High Street in Holyoke. About
four years ago Radner started working with a Mount Holyoke College
student on the project. Radner had sold much of his about 1,000-piece collection at auction for
about $1 million, but he did keep some of the items that he had
acquired.
He had been married to Helen Cohen Radner for 64 years until she died in March. The couple had two sons.
