NovDec_2012

Last Walk-Around
Robert “Poss” Possen
On September 18, 2012
Colorado clowns lost a very dear
friend. Robert “Poss” Possen passed
away after a battle with cancer. He
was three weeks shy of his 93rd
birthday. He was a World War
II veteran and a life member of
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He
was married to Dorothy “Dot” Possen for 66 years.
Robert had two passions, scouting and clowning. He
devoted 70 years of his life as an adult volunteer for the
Boy Scouts of America. He earned the Vigil Honor rank
in the Order of Arrow, and was awarded the Silver Beaver
Award.
Robert was one of the original founders of the
Colorado Clown Alley. He was a long-standing member
of Clowns of America International, a member of
World Clown Association, and a life member of Mile
High Magicians. As a professional clown he worked in
restaurants, did birthday and company parties, and was
even in a national TV commercial. Robert “Poss the
Clown” and Dorothy “Dot the Clown” gave many hours
to their community by visiting hospitals, appearing at
Special Olympic events, and many other community and
church events. He really enjoyed being in parades and
made his own awesome parade props. He was a great
inspiration to so many of his fellow Colorado Clowns and
will be missed dearly.
H. Douglas “Jelly Bean” Wilder
H. Douglas “Jelly Bean” Wilder performed his last
wall-around on September 9. Doug, 66 years old, was an
entertaining man with a big heart. Raising his family in
Sharon Springs, NY, he graduated from Hudson Valley
Community College and was a long time switching
technician with the telephone company that became
Verizon. Doug was very active in the Elks over the years,
serving in a number of responsible positions at the local,
state and national level of the fraternal order garnering
him many honors and accolades. A recognized leader in
his community, he served and distinguished himself in
various leadership roles in the Sharon Springs Volunteer
Fire Department, the Girl Scouts, the Telephone Pioneers,
his church and the Red Cross. He traveled extensively and
enjoyed photography. He discovered “Jelly Bean” later in
life and truly enjoyed being a clown. As Jelly Bean he was
active with his wife “Pixie” in the Capital Region Clown
Arts Festival, Clowns of America International and the
Electric City Clown Alley, eventually serving the alley
as President. We remember and respect him for bringing
orderliness and organization to the 2002 COAI Convention.
He did an awesome job of not only administering the
registration process but manning the registration desk
nearly non-stop during the convention. He proved to be
the Ambassador of Information setting the bar of the
registration and support process to new highs earning
recognition at the international level of Clowns of America
International for his service. Quick with a laugh, great with
a balloon, always willing to listen, tell humorous stories and
silly jokes, as Jelly Bean he seemed to be at his best when
he was surrounded by kids. As we performed together over
the years, he’d keep us all snickering, giggling and laughing
with his quick and snappy one and two liners. We will miss
you, Jelly Bean, and all the laughter you created!
Paul “Big Bucks” Tobias
Paul “Big Bucks” Tobias took his last walk on July 29, 2012. He was a member of the
Sahib Shrine Clown Alley of Sarasota, FL and former Tidewell Hospice Clown Circle
Alley #348 also of Sarasota.
Paul started clowning upon retirement and loved every minute. He should have started 50
years earlier. He will be missed by all.
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If a clown close to you has passed, we would very much like to honor that clown with his or her last walk-around.
You can submit your Last Walk-Around obituary and photo to: NewCalliopeEditor @comcast.net
or you can snail mail to:
The New Calliope
c/o Newton Studios,
370 W. Dearborn St, Suite B, • Englewood, FL 34223.
If emailing, please be sure to send a high resolution photo.
The New Calliope