Derek Verner (Dai Vernon's Son) Has Died

[Richard Kaufman]

Just received this news from his daughter, Robin. No further details.

[Ted M]

Somebody needs to sit down with the Reaper and distract him with a game of chess.

Seriously.

He is out of control.

[performer]

I am so sorry to hear this. I got on very well with Derek.

[Tom Frame]

Years ago, Derek posted on this forum. He acknowledged his alcoholism and was aware of the degree to which it negatively impacted his life and his relationships. I enjoyed his tangential, Tequila-fueled ramblings and was disappointed when he was banned, but I understand why it happened.

Hopefully he is now at peace.

[performer]

I brought Derek into the Buskers Cafe where he amused us all with his drunken ramblings and we didn't mind a bit. He confessed he admired me greatly and he was sober at the time. After that to me he could do no wrong. Then one day for no apparent reason he stopped posting. I hoped he was OK then some time after I read he had been injured in a fire and I was worried about him. I had no idea if he was dead or alive. It seems that he must have survived the fire after all but succumbed only recently.

I really liked him.

[Roger M.]

I noted in a thread a few months ago that Derek was (and still is) revered in the model train world as an author and thinker that fundamentally changed the hobby.
He was a highly respected author of many articles on model train doing's.

It's amazing how many different sides people can have.

Sad news about Derek, I never think poorly of people who suffer from alcoholism, it's a horrible disease, and often results in many "wasted" years.

[Bill Mullins]

I noted in a thread a few months ago that Derek was (and still is) revered in the model train world as an author and thinker that fundamentally changed the hobby.
He was a highly respected author of many articles on model train doing's.

If you search the model train forums, you see much confirmation of Roger's statement. I haven't found any of these articles to link to, but here is one he wrote from an electronics hobbyist magazine (go to page 79). Page 47 of this magazine has an article he wrote that would be of interest to magicians -- a light switch board that is difficult to figure out.

[Steve Bryant]

I have never read anything about the Professsor's grandchildren. Does anyone know about their lives and whether they took any interest in, or even met, their grandfather?

[Roger M.]

I have never read anything about the Professsor's grandchildren.

First post in this thread, his Grandaughter contacted Richard to let him know (and by extension let us know) that Derek had passed away.

[Roger M.]

It's interesting, if one takes an interest in, and subsequently does some investigation into the history of the classic Money Making Machine genre, one quickly finds out that Derek Verner constructed some of the most desirable, and highly crafted Money Making Machines out there.

One of the hand-made Derek Verner Money Making Machines today is not only very valuable, but essentially so rare as appear non-existent!

A model train legend and a money making machine legend ... as well the son of a legend - Derek was an interesting guy.

[Richard Kaufman]

When Dai Vernon was "roasted" at the New York Magic Symposium in, I think, 1987, Derek Verner and his son were there. I asked The Professor if he saw his grandson often, and he replied that it was the first time he'd met him!

Vernon was not a family man.

[Krenz]

Vernon was not a family man.

I think of him as a family man.

Magic was his family.

[Roger M.]

The Professor was worthy of many accolades, but "family man" isn't one of them ... regardless of definition.

[Pepka]

A well known magician once told me that no matter how hard he strives, he'll never be as good as a magician as Vernon was.....and that's OK. But if he can become a better family man, that's all he needs.