Harold D. Russell, St. Louis’ first African-American magician and recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ most prestigious recognition, the Gold Medal, died Monday July 21 (2008) from complications due to pneumonia in St. John’s Mercy Hospital. He was 86 years old.
Known on stage as “The Divine Mind,” Russell was joined by magicians from throughout America when he was honored in September 2006 at the Missouri History Museum.
Russell said, “It was like Christmas Day.”
“I’m really proud. It’s going to be like Christmas Day,” he said.
Born in St. Louis in 1922, Russell saw his first magic act at the Grand Theater when he was 7 years old.
He performed nationwide for more than five decades on television, in nightclubs, at banquets and for birthday parties. He has played the Gold Palace in Gaslight Square and the St. Louis Playboy Club. He was also an annual treat at Stix Baer and Fuller’s Breakfast with Santa for more than 20 years. He was even asked to perform magic at a person’s wake.
Karl A Grice, founder of Grice Group Architects, served as Russell’s apprentice for many years and would become a magician himself. Grice considers “Harold D.” to have been his mentor and credits him with “changing my life.”
The great magicians will gather once more to salute their departed brother with a memorial service for “The Divine Mind’” and to honor him in the Broken Wand ceremony hosted by local magicians. The place and time for the service is yet to be determined.
The Gold Medal had only been awarded to six SAM members and the last one was presented 10 years ago. Russell told the American in 2006 that his greatest accomplishment was winning the top mentalist act at the SAM Convention in St. Louis in 1971. For half of a century, Russell was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M) and the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M). In honor of his long-standing and loyal contributions and service to the art of magic, Russell was to receive the “Order of Merlin Shield” at the I.B.M./S.A.M. Combined Convention, currently underway in Louisville, Ky.
“All magicians are saddened by his death,” said Grice, who is attending the Louisville convention.
Russell had another passion – jazz. He could often be spotted at area jazz festivals and in local jazz clubs. He often used Chuck Mangione’s “Feel So Good” to open his magic act.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois Newton Russell. He is survived by five children, six grandchildren, and a huge array of dear friends and magician family members.
Visitation will be held from 4- 7 p.m. Sunday, July 27 and the funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28 at Layne Renaissance Chapel, 7302 West Florissant Ave.
He will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent, in Harold D. Russell’s name, to: The Harry and Trudy Monti College Scholarship Fund – 801 Sherwick Terrance – Manchester, Mo., 63021
