Otts Oehm
Each year the George Dency Ring 179 awards the Otts Oehm Memorial Trophy for Participation. The award’s namesake was a much admired and very active member of Ring 179 from 1965 through 1987. Arthur Frederick Oehm, better known as “Otts” to his friends, was a charter member of Ring 179. Otts was born in 1927 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Otts worked as a salesman and manager for a hardware and fastener products company but was also extremely active in the Baltimore magic community. Otts performed magic, worked as a magic clown under the name Howdy Dooit and was also affectionately known as Baltimore’s Magic Santa Claus.
Otts was a regular performer at Ring 179 meetings and other functions; he never hesitated to offer his services. When reading over the Ring 179 reports from the Ring’s early years, it is rare to find a meeting that Otts did not attend and participate. A few days before Otts passed away he was at the April 1987, Ring 179 meeting and presented an excellent coin through the hand routine followed by a rubber band effect. Otts passed away suddenly as he was preparing for a magical performance on May 3, 1987.
