I have really been missing Dick Oslund lately. I never had a grandpa, but Dick was the closest thing to a grandpa I've ever known.

He became my mentor immediately, but also became my best friend during a very difficult time in my life. I had just survived a hit and run that stole my ability to walk without forearm crutches. (I've since proved the doctors wrong and 7 years into it, I taught myself to walk again.)

For those of you who knew him, please share your stories. I'm really missing him right now.

Hello Race,

Yes, I always enjoyed Dick's posts here on the cafe. So much so, that I described one of his tales from the past in an article I had published last year. He told the story of how his carnie mentor was able to make the cash for his three meals a day in fifteen minutes, just by hawking Buddha Papers sets while walking to the canteen. Dick's stories of life on the carnival circuit were always evocative of an era gone by!

Thomas Henry

That's awesome! Where can I find the article? Thank you for sharing.

Hi again,

The article is: "Rediscovering the Buddha Papers," The Linking Ring, Volume 103, Number 2, February 2023, pp. 38-41, 146.

In his posts here, it was very clear Dick was something of an expert on the Buddha Papers, not just using, but also in pitching them. That's why I cited him in the article.

Thomas Henry

Race Blakhart:

As you may know, Dick Oslund and I were best friends for over 30 years and he was my 2nd mentor in Magic.....my first mentor was Gene DeVoe in St. Louis. What Dick truly specialized in was something that ALL Magicians truly need to understand, and that is: ENTERTAINING an audience! And, as a long-time performing Magician I can assure you that THIS IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. No one misses Dick Oslund more than I do, as we were pretty much "Joined at the hip for over 30 years, and I was the beneficiary of Dick's sage advice and expertise.

If you are not aware of this, allow me to share with you that I have released, in a partnership with The Fab Magic Company of Colon, MI, The "Dick Oslund Line of Magic", featuring Dick's Favorite tricks, done "The Dick Oslund Way", complete with props and patter. You can see it (and my comments) on the Fab Magic Website located here:

https://fabmagic.com/shop/ols/products/f......ab-magic

The Dick Oslund Line will be growing, so stay tuned!