William "Bill" Kahn's Obituary
William “Bill” Kahn, 98, of Clearwater, FL, formerly of Larchmont, NY passed away Oct. 18, 2017 at home. He was born in Piqua, OH and worked as an advertising photographer in New York City and locally as a magician where he performed charity magic shows for local charities including St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen for over 30 years.
Bill was a formative presence in television’s early years. After working as a photographer for the Army during WWII, he worked as the staff photographer for the Dumont television network, and then with the nascent TV Guide. Bill took numerous iconic cover photographs for the magazine in the 1950’s, meeting every major star to pass through the studio. He was particularly proud of his photo of Jackie Gleason, who struck his signature poses in Bill’s studio.
Following his work with TV Guide, Bill left to work in advertising in New York City, where his work appeared in a long list of major publications. He was a pioneer of subliminal advertising, with his full-page advertisements for Woolite in Life magazine breaking new ground for their innovative compositions.
Upon retiring to Florida in 1980, Bill called upon his lifelong love of magic, which he had been performing since his teenage years, to bring meaning not to just his own retirement years, but to the lives of countless others. He struck up a relationship with the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen in Clearwater, and he began giving magic shows to raise money for charity. This relationship blossomed into a second career for Bill, and over the next 30 years he raised almost $500,000 for the soup kitchen and many other charities.
Bill received numerous commendations for his charitable work. He was recognized by one president, five governors, and countless other dignitaries in both Florida and his summer home of Brevard, North Carolina, over the course of his magic career. In 2010 he was presented with the key to city of Clearwater, FL.
Bill was also deeply involved with the magic community, serving as the President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians local chapter. In addition to his frequent magic shows, Bill taught magic to young magicians at colleges, libraries and community centers. He also published accounts of his tricks in national publications and self published a book of tricks called “Kahncepts.” He was awarded the Presidential Citation by the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 2009, and Magician of the Year from the Society of American Magicians in 2008.
Bill and his wife Muriel traveled extensively, both internationally and in their mobile home. Some of Bill’s fondest memories were of visiting nearly the entire country in 1990’s of frequent mobile home excursions.
Bill is survived by his wife of 74 years, Muriel; two daughters, Patty and her husband Bernie, and Nancy; three grandchildren, Michael, Simon, and Justin; two great-grandchildren, Milo and Elliott.
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