Date Of Birth: July 31, 1941
Date Of Death: June 1, 2010
Barry D. Nighbert-Valentine, 68, of Indianapolis passed away Tuesday, June 1st, 2010.Barry was born in Anderson, IN on July 31, 1941, the son of the late John H. and Marge Nighbert.He served in the U.S. Air Force. Barry was an Illusionist and a member of the Magic Castle. He also worked security for Fed-Ex. He is survived by his brother John H. Nighbert Jr.Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at Harry W. Moore Funeral Care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Little Flower Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, June 10 at 10 a.m.Interment at Marion National Cemetery Marion, IN.
Harry says
To my friend Barry “Big Bear”,
We shared 41 years together as friends, roommates, fellow magicians and Magic Castle members. You’ll always be in my thoughts and prayers. Until we meet again.
I love you. God Bless.
Harry “Bear” Weintraub
Brian Temple says
We were very good friend’s decades ago when I studied with him to gain acceptance into the Academy of Magical Arts. I studied with him for a year for my audition, and it went swimmingly thanks to all of Barry’s mentoring and grooming.
I rembmer his “up your nose with a rubber hose” and his “Hey, Brian Templeinskiburger” salutations.
When I graduated college he told me, “Brian, the three most important things you need to remember about your education are: networking. networking. networking” Great advice that I still abide by.
He was a colleague of my father’s too, and it was our family tradition for when the kids turned 21, we would celebrate our birthdays at the Magic Castle with Barry provding a night of fun and magic.
To borrow Barry’s words, “Best magical wishes, my friend.”
Carol Wiggins says
Barry I will miss you. You were part of my family, you were my second father. You bought so much joy, laughter and love into my life. You are at peace now.
Carol
Diana Zimmerman says
Barry has now found the greatest magic of all–he is at peace.
The magic world will miss him.
Diana
Cory Wiggins says
Barry Nighbert was a wonderful man and friend. I will miss him very much, he was taken much too soon. May the lord keep him and watch over him. Best Magical Wishes Always
Ken Gloria Sobel says
Barry was a true friend. We shared a common interest in magic and also shared our favorite magic routines, even with the distance between us.
Virginia Harrington says
Barry, you made the magic happen!! Rest in Peace my friend and God speed.
Patricia Harman says
Rest in peace Berry, Good neighbor and friend.I will miss our talks on my front porch, and all the wonderful
scenic e-mails you always sent to me.
My grandchildren loved your magic.You had a wonderful talent.I will miss you.
Patty
Kevin Kim Coleman and Family says
Dearest Barry, We’ll miss you a lot, but know you’re in a much better place and hopefully we’ll see you very, very soon when the Lord comes for His own. We’ll always remember those times spent together eating Chinese food and having fun with the Fortune Cookies. Thank you for being our friend!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
Janice Stramat says
Dear one, I am so sad at your passing. Your were a dear and sweet friend for over 40 years. We will always remember you fondly and always admired your many talents as a Magician. God bless all the loved ones left behind. Sadly, Jan & Greg Stramat
Susan Morgan says
Barry, my dear sweet friend. Rest in peace. It seems just like yesterday that the two of us struck up a conversation in Speech Class at Santa Ana College, which was the beginning of our wonderful friendship so many years ago. I remember you telling me that you dated the 1963 Golden Girl at Purdue when I told I was going to school at Purdue upon graduation from Santa Ana. And you just laughed. You had such magic about you… that made you special.
I will miss you my dear friend.
Jim Judy Newman says
Barry provided much enjoyable entertainment at one of the Nighbert Reunions after he found out there was such a thing as a Nighbert Reunion. Unfortunately he was not able to attend as often as he said he would have liked. He was interested in his family history – that’s how we met.
Rest in Peace, Barry.
Jack Smith says
Barry will be greatly missed. He was the kind of person we should all strive to be. Rest in Peace my friend.
Judy Birt says
I helped care for Barry at the VA. He was a very nice man and from what I understand, very talented. I was will miss him.
Andre Jean Johnson says
Barry,
I always enjoyed meeting with you during our professional careers and glad we continued our friendship after. Jean and I will always remember the fun times we had with you at the Magic Castle. May you rest in peace knowing that you brought joy to many peoples lives.
Andre
Laura says
Bear Bear!! I will miss you dearly! I will never forget all the great advice you gave me. Your stories were truly amazing!
James Shaver says
Barry, Thanks for the enjoyment and Magical Wishes you brought to our family.With love from all of us. Jim and Carol, Dana, Danny, Susan, and Shelly.
The Shaver’s
Anne Halloran says
Barry never met a stranger he didn’t already know. I’m so happy that our paths crossed. Thank you dear Barry for sharing your magic with us.
Charlene Orea says
We Will miss you Granpa Berry, Best wishes to all your family, you were truly loved here In Indy.
janet says
bear, you will be miss.I’ll miss talking to you and all the good times we had. but i know in my heart you are in a better place in heaven. for god ,needed a wonderful man so he pick you to be with him. god bless you. janet
Joe Christy Ayres says
We want to express our heartfelt condolences to your family. Joe went to grade school and high school with Barry, he was a good friend and athelete, but lost touch over the years. Always saw Barry at our class reunions and the Holy Spirit Festivals. He will be missed.
Julie Allen says
Dearest Barry – Thanks for all of the ’magical’ memories and for being such a good friend to my parents. You will most certainly be missed.
Tony, Julie, AJ & Samantha Allen
Pat Diane Koers says
Barry once gave me an autographed picture which has hung in my basement rec-room for years. I am sure that I am not the only one who received such a picture. It read “To Pat, one of the Aces of life in God’s magic shuffle.” I would like to say that Barry was truly one of the Aces of life in God’s magic shuffle. And now he will be entering God’s Magic Kingdom.
Rest in peace my friend!
Pat & Diane Koers
Dann Julie Sadie Gillen says
Barry,
I cannot put into words how much you mean to me. You are like an uncle. You took me in and shared all of your life. You were such a good friend to us and my whole family.
The memories of your performances are still talked about today! From ’Sam the Bellhop’ to the giant personalized cards. You have amazed me even when I knew what you were doing! FYI, I have held your teachings secret to this day.
This is one disappearing act I wasn’t ready for.
I am so grateful that you knew the Lord and will now be entertaining all that have gone before us in Heaven. I look forward to seeing you there. It will be but a flash of time before we hug again.
Thank you for being one of a kind and for your true friendship.
Until we meet again…
I love you, Bear.
Dann
Lisa Smith Kiddo says
I only knew Barry for a short time, but he was an instant friend. He loved to stop me coming through security at FedEx and tell me jokes. I sometimes stopped to listen, but at other times was in a hurry. Life is too short not to stop and listen to those you care about. God Bless Barry. I know your in a better and more peaceful place. Your friend, Lisa
Ron Mary Torborg says
I last talked to Barry on May 28. He sounded rough but positive.
We were 40+ year friends going back to his California days. We had numerous Magic Castle visits with family and friends and he did illusions at our house for my family.
I will miss you friend.Rest in Peace peace.
Ron and Mary Torborg
Phil Seelig says
Barry taught me Magic and was the reason I became a member of the Magic Castle. No one could do Sam the Bellhop better than Barry.
Don Gray says
I am very sorry to hear about Barry. I’ve been trying to locate him in the past 3-4 months and didn’t have a phone number. A friend of mine looked him up on the internet and this is how I found out about his death. He will be sadly missed. I no longer have a computer and used my old address,so I could send this to you. Again…Sorry for your loss. Don Gray
Don Gray says
I am very sorry to hear about Barry. I’ve been trying to locate him in the past 3-4 months and didn’t have a phone number. A friend of mine looked him up on the internet and this is how I found out about his death. He will be sadly missed. I no longer have a computer and used my old address,so I could send this to you. Again…Sorry for your loss. Don Gray
Phil Seelig says
You will be truly missed. Thanks for the memories, “Sam the Bellhop” etc.