TRIBUTE TO MAGIKAL

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This page is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Reay (Magikal).

TRIBUTE TO MAGIKAL

12/21/03

I first met Kevin online when he sent me a demo of himself completing my then latest map "Big Guns". Not an easy feat! The guy was a skilled player. After a few e-mails we started talking about getting a project going.

In early 2002 I worked with Kevin on what was to be a 5 level wad called "Doom 1.5 a Lunar Incursion". Most of the concepts behind this project were his ideas....the setting, story line, structure, and project title. I handled working on graphics and level concepts. Kevin was quite excited about getting the project going. He had a lot of enthusiasm for mapping, and seemed to be a quick study when it came to advancing in map making techniques. During this time I got to know Kevin and his fascination with magic. He would tell stories about what it was like to be a magician, likewise I would discuss issues about being an illustrator. A very interesting fellow.

We finally reached a point were most of the graphics were done. Kevin and I had several small maps we used to test graphics and experiment with. However, as time went by, commitments to my job and family increased and I could not continue on the project at the desired pace we wanted to move. Kevin kept mapping on other various projects and really developed into a unique mapper. He said he'd like to finish the project one day...even if I could not be available for mapping. I really regret not being able to complete it.

About a week ago Rich Sham notified me of his passing which was a real shocker to me. It is a strange twist on things to lose somebody you've never met in person. Especially when finding out about it long after the fact.

Below is a tribute by Richard Sham posted on the Doomworld forums letting everyone know of Kevins passing. I really didn't fully realize the true depth of his talent. This tribute will relay things much better than I can do as Rich knew Kevin better than me. I feel this pretty much sums up what happened and what Kevin was about. He was good hearted fellow with a lot of talent. I'm sorry to see him go.

-greg

A few hours ago I received an email from London with confirmation of Magikal's death.

It's difficult for me to explain the loss of a friend so forgive any mistakes I may make.

I believe it was Thursday, December the 11th, when I first thought of sending Kevin holiday greetings. Before doing so I decided to check his web site to see what he had been up to recently. I have a massive number of bookmarks and I couldn't find his URL so I decided to use Google to look it up.

Before continuing I should point out a few facts: Magikal's name is Kevin Reay, he lived in London, was a highly respected Professional Master Magician and the only Magician to have won all of the U.K.'s major awards for close-up Magic, Northern Magic Circle, The Magic Circle, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and "The International Magic Competition".

As I searched for his web site I came upon an article. I believe it was published in MagicWeek. The article, dated 19 July, 2003, was in reference to a 'close-up' magic competition. It stated they had "renamed the trophy "The Kevin Reay Close-up Award" as a tribute to, and in memory of, Kevin who was the first ever winner back in 1984 and who died tragically last month". That article places his death in the June, 2003 timeframe.

I don't know how or why he died as I was unable to acquire that information. In the scheme of things it really doesn't matter. I also checked and found his last post was 5/18/03. His web site was virtually unchanged from the way it appeared many months ago. I sent emails to both of his addresses and found one was full and the postmaster returned the other. His magic site (which he shared with me as a friend) was also unchanged.

Not wanting to make a stupid mistake I sent a picture of Kevin to a contact in London who knew the Kevin Reay who had died. That gentleman confirmed that it was indeed Magikal.

I know a little about his personal life but feel it is inappropriate to comment as I didn't know his family. I can say that he is survived by Anna, his 10 year old daughter as he mentioned her in one of his text files.

Why has this taken so long to surface? I can only tell you what I thought was happening. The Community Chest project had just ended and I felt he was taking a break from all the work he had put into his two maps, especially map 29. On my end I was involved in some personal family and business issues.

Kevin and I were friends and I respected him as an individual and a player. We had our occasional disagreements but that's not unusual amongst friends. Most fortunately, we always reconciled.

He loved to build wads, with a special emphasis on puzzels, and record demos. You'll find several demos at Opulent's DSDA site. One of his best was of scythe, map 26 although he had many others. His web site (http://www.magikal.supanet.com/) is still available and you'll find other demos there.

In addition to the various wads he designed for speed mapping events, he created three other wads. They include: goin'down.wad, cata.wad, and industrl.wad. Goin'Down and cata were featured as maps 6 and 29 respectively in the Community Chest megawad.

In summary I can only wish him my best wherever he is and hope that somehow he knows he's not forgotten.

Rich Sham

12/16/03

First published on Friday 12 December 2003:
Magician's rail viaduct death stays mystery
by Bruce Unwin

MYSTERY surrounds the reason why a magician plunged to his death from a railway viaduct. An open verdict was yesterday recorded into the death of 45-year-old Kevin Reay, at an inquest in Dur-ham. He was found lying under Crimdon Dene viaduct, on the Durham side of the county boundary with Hartlepool, on Tuesday, May 20.

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