Bob F. Brown

Bob F. Brown
Born	Robert Forester Brown July 22, 1921 Sacramento, California
Died	February 7, 2016 (age 94)

Bob Brown (1921-2016) performed in the stage show, "The Magic of Make Believe" for nearly 30 years until his retirement from magic performance in 2000.

Biography

Brown received his first magic set at Christmas at age 11, which cast a spell on magic that remained the rest of his life.

He began a career as a salesman selling magazines door-to-door when he was eight years old. After graduating from City College, Brown went down to Los Angeles to work in the aircraft business. He would regularly visit with other magicians at Thayer's Magic Studio. He would meet Marvyn Roy there and they became life long friends.

He was inducted into the Army Air Corps in 1941 and became an aircraft engineering officer stationed in Guam and the Philippines near the end of WWII before being discharged in 1946 at the rank of First Lieutenant.

Following his discharge from the military, he began his career working for Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company in 1948. With over 52 years of dedicated service, he became one of the company's "Top 50" sales professionals.

He also was chairman of civic projects such as U.S.O. Entertainment, Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. In recognition of his volunteer service, Brown was voted Outstanding Young Man of the Year in Sacramento for community service and leadership and received the "Distinguished Service Award."

He joined The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), becoming member #6224, as well as several other magic organizations including The Society of American Magicians, member # 20691, the Associate Member of Inner Magic Circle (Silver Star) and an honorary member of The Indian Magicians Academy.

By 1970, Brown needed an assistant to help with his bird act. His friend, Jackie Payne, introduced him to his daughter-in-law, Brenda, who was performing as part of the "Saxons" juggling team with her husband. She joined his act and they would perform together for almost thirty years as "Bob Brown and Brenda, The Magic of Make Believe." They also appeared at FISM convention in 1979, 1985 and 1991.

He wrote several articles on public relations in magic for Genii and Magic Manuscript. He was a good friend of Dai Vernon, taking lessons from him and booking a couple of Dai's tours.

Brown stopped performing internationally in 2000, after performing around the world for almost thirty years.