When I logged into my blog this morning I discovered remembrances about Leon Varjian piling in. From them I learned that this unique individual, whom I knew in Bloomington in 1974 and again in Madison circa 1980, passed away suddenly this week.
It’s hard to describe the impact of a person who appeared to take NOTHING seriously, and yet carried a great humanitarian inside his clown costume.
So, by way of tribute to Leon, a few links…
- History of Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota, news report of Leon’s and Jim Mallon’s elaborate prank while grad students at UW-Madison
- Math Teacher’s Sudden Death Shocks Midland Park, news of Leon’s death in today’s paper, Midland Park, New Jersey, September 30, 2015
- Leon Varjian and Me: Class Clowns, an earlier post about my “running away with the circus” that was Leon and his cadre in Bloomington, Indiana, Fall 1974
Leon led Boombox Parades, outfitting the crowd with his collection of cast-off Indiana University band uniforms purchased at auction. I received one from Leon on the occasion of my 18th birthday.
Now the obituaries are starting to appear…
Wisconsin State Journal: Leon Varjian: Prankster, math teacher, dies of suspected heart attack at 64
I’d post the Bloomington Herald Tribune, but it requires onerous contribution of personal information. Leon wouldn’t approve so I won’t.
True Stories Well Told 