We were sad to hear that Magician Abb Dickson passed away this week.

You can help defray his funeral and burial expenses by donating to the Go Fund Me page established by his friends.

When we were very, very young, we met Mr. Dickson at the Florida State Magician’s Convention in Winter Park, Florida.  He watched us perform in the Close-up contest and shared his thoughts on our act.  He was constructive, helpful and so kind.  We were just 14 years old and overwhelmed by his kindness.

Fast forward about a thousand years to an Abbott’s Magic Get-Together stage contest.  Mr. Dickson was there and again had kind and encouraging words.  He didn’t look as if he had aged a bit.  His warm and friendly persona brought back so many wonderful memories.

Mr. Dickson was an accomplished magician, actor, comedian, teacher and inventor.  But more importantly, he was a great man.  He was a familiar face at magic conventions and exemplified all that is good about our profession.

We heard last week that Mr. Dickson was gravely ill.   We received an email from John Luka, forwarding information from Gary Bartlett.  Mr. Bartlett wrote that doctors were going to amputate one of Mr. Dickson’s legs, but had decided against the surgery.   He was taken off of dialysis and, in Mr. Bartlett’s words, “Once dialysis ends it will only be a matter of days before the body shuts down. It’s now all in the hands of our maker.”

Our Maker called Mr. Dickson home just a day  later.

We heard Mr. Dickson was the victim of unscrupulous business associates that left him impoverished, without savings, magic or possessions.  He died without having the funds to even pay for his funeral.

Mr. Dickson’s friends (magician and non) have organized a Go Fund Me campaign to defray the cost of the funeral and burial.

Perhaps you knew Mr. Dickson or only knew of him as Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.  Or perhaps you knew him as a young fan and years later an older fan like us. Or perhaps you never met or heard of him but want to do something good in memory of someone who did so much for our art and the people who love it.  Visit the Go Fund Me page and consider making a donation.