In passing: David Avadon, illusionist

LOS ANGELES – David Avadon, a professional illusionist who wrote a book on pickpocketing, his trademark theatrical act, died Aug. 22. He was 60.

Avadon had a heart attack while exercising at a fitness club in Santa Monica, said his brother, Joe Hutchins.

For more than 30 years, Avadon had regularly presented his pickpocket act at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He entertained throughout the United States, in Japan, Canada and Britain and served as a technical consultant on TV and film productions.

His “performances included an equal balance of mystery and comedy,” Mark Nelson, chairman of the board of the Academy of Magical Arts, which occupies the Magic Castle, said in a statement. “David always gave a polished, assured performance, drawing laughter and amazement.”

Nancy Talbot, retail chain co-founder

BOULDER, Colo. – Nancy Talbot, who co-founded a women’s clothing store with her husband in 1947 that catered to a “country club” set and oversaw its growth into a catalog powerhouse and retail chain, has died. She was 89.

Talbot died Sunday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at her home in Boulder, Colo., said a daughter, Polly Talbot Donald.

When Nancy and her husband, Rudolf Talbot, inherited his father’s cramped clothing store in the Boston suburb of Hingham, Mass., they renamed it The Talbots. They stocked it with classic women’s apparel that reflected Nancy’s affinity for color and personal style.

Eventually, the store became known as Talbots – and as a trend-setter for the suburban set.

The company, which expanded into California in the late 1980s, has about 590 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Robert Decatur, Tuskegee airman

BILOXI, Miss. – Former Tuskegee Airman Robert Decatur, who went on to become a judge and civil rights lawyer, has died. He was 88.

Decatur died at his home in Titusville, Fla., on Aug. 19, according to the Newcomer Funeral Home. He was to be buried at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.

He was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the country’s first black military pilots and crew, who fought overseas during World War II but faced discrimination when they returned home.

In 2007, Decatur was among the surviving airmen who received the Congressional Gold Medal.

He spent 25 years as a probate judge in Ohio and taught at six law schools.