(AKA “The Balloon Man”)
Rochester NY: While surrounded by family and friends, Bob Follmer passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016 after an extended and courageous battle with several types of cancer. He is survived by his wife of 59 + years, Audrey Adams Follmer; children, Gretchen Follmer Anthony; Gary (Mary) Follmer and Andrew Follmer; grandchildren, Adam (Kelly) Follmer, Caleb (Rachel) Follmer and Rachel Anthony; great-grandson; Micah Hunsicker and brother-in-law Lester Adams.
After serving in the Korean War, he wore many different hats. For more than 45 years Bob was a magician and local entertainer known as “The Balloon Man”. He performed at birthdays, parties, fund raisers and was often seen on the Eddie Meath Show, Romper Room and Sibley’s Breakfast with Santa. Before retiring 4 years ago, Bob took enormous pleasure and pride in being a Hospice Chaplain for 25 years.
Bob was a long standing member of both the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians and mentored young magicians. He and his wife helped bring the Protestant Marriage Encounter movement to Western New York. They were active in the early years of Koinania as well. For the past ten years they were enthusiastic attendees of the Church of Holy Bagel.
A Celebration gathering will be on Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 3-5 pm at the Pieters Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way, Rochester, NY 14623.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Aurora House, a comfort care home in Spencerport, NY (www.aurorahousewmc.com), American Cancer Association (www.cancer.org) or Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation (www.mds-foundation.org).
Got to know Bob in the late 1970’s when looking for a Gospel Magician for the youth in the congregation I served.
Over a 30 year friendship, I came to realize it was not what Bob could make ‘disappear’ that mattered as much as what he could make ‘appear’: “…faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13)
I met Bob as his hygienist many years ago. It was always a pleasure to see him. He always had a smile . I enjoyed our conversations and the many laughs we shared.
Audrey,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know Bob will be missed.
Take care of yourself,
Love,
Luisa
On behalf of the staff and volunteers of Aurora House, please accept our deepest condolences. We were privileged to meet Bob in his last weeks, thank you for trusting us with his care.
I love these arletcis. How many words can a wordsmith smith?