Ray-Mond M. Corbin (September 29, 1916-July 4, 2003) who was a past national president of the Society Of American Magicians (1984-1985) died at the age of 86.

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Ray-Mond Corbin, 86, Carroll magician

The Sun - Baltimore, Md.
Author: Frederick N. Rasmussen and Jennifer McMenamin

His interest in magic began at age 6, when his mother gave him a 49-cent book of magic tricks for his birthday. With tricks learned from the Thayer Magic Catalog, Mr. Corbin's earliest performances included backyard gigs where he charged neighbors 2 cents for ground seats and a nickel for folding chairs. The highlight of his professional debut at age 8 came when he thrilled the audience at Westminster's United Methodist Church by levitating his sister Ruth and making her disappear.

To the chagrin of his parents, Mr. Corbin left for Florida in 1934 after graduating from Westminster High School to join Dr. Miles' Medicine Show, which traveled the countryside selling a bunion remover. Paid $15 a week and a 5-cent commission for every bottle sold, Mr. Corbin worked to attract a crowd to the medicine wagon by promising to decapitate someone.

Sixty years later, hundreds gathered in Westminster to honor Mr. Corbin for a lifetime of community service. On that occasion, Colorado magician Edward A. Schuman characterized Mr. Corbin in an interview with The Sun as a "walking encyclopedia" and suggested that someone should work with Mr. Corbin to document magic tricks that otherwise would be lost with his death.

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Ray-Mond M. Corbin (September 29, 1916-July 4, 2003) who was a past national president of the Society Of American Magicians died Friday at the age of 86. Visitations are scheduled for Jul. 10 (7-9pm), Jul. 11 (2-4pm and 7-9pm) at the Fletcher Funeral Home (254 E. Main Street), Westminster, MD (800-722-2477). A broken wand ceremony by the SAM will be held at the Carroll Arts Center (91 West Main Street) in Westminster on Saturday Jul. 12 at 8pm. A Baltimore Sun obituary recounted his life as a magician highlighting the many peaks in his career. To read the Jul. 8 obituary by Frederick N. Rasmussen and Jennifer McMenamin titled "Magician Ray-Mond Corbin dies at age 86"