I am a faithful reader of the New York Times Obituary column, because they provide a concise historical insight to a person of consequence. Usually a great read. And sometimes I discover more about someone that had an impact on my life or I met on my travels. I try to note those in my In Memoriam posts.

Last week George J. Kresge passed away at 89 years of age. Don’t remember him? You may know him as The Amazing Kreskin, a mind reader who found fame in the 1970’s and 80’s. I met him when he performed at Bailey Concert Hall in Fort Lauderdale, where I managed the backstage as Technical Stage Manager. When his manager discovered that I was also a practicing stage magician and made sure I was the main conduit for the performance.

The Amazing Kreskin fashioned himself as an expert n ESP but I knew that his act was based on firm foundations of a stage magic act (if he were still here, he would insist that everything he did was by means of special brain Extra Sensory Perception). He had a terrific act and as I helped him set up his act he could use shorthand explanations with me. One part of his act was to have his paycheck hidden somewhere in the audience which he had to “find” through ESP to get paid for the performance. To be clear, every mind reading act you will see is about 33% trickery and 66% force of personality using clever language and verbal misdirection. The Amazing Kreskin had an everyday genius demeanor that was reassuring and entertaining. He did a great show and he and I had a great chat. I cannot say more. He also gave me a great souvenir.