Jack K. Greenberg
March 6, 2025

JACK K. GREENBERG: Of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away March 6, 2025, three weeks shy of his 95th birthday. Mr. Greenberg was born and raised in Pittsburgh.  He was the valedictorian of his of Taylor Allderdice High School graduating class in 1948, and he received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Greenberg served on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business during five decades, beginning in 1958. His classes and areas of expertise included Personnel Administration, Employee Selection, and Employee Relations. After working for American Institutes for Research, he founded and ran Measurement Services Incorporated, a firm focused on human behavior measurement and evaluation, occupational testing, hiring processes, labor relations, and training development.

When he was a very young boy, he became interested in magic. His mother, Anne Greenberg, was in charge of starting a school for the arts at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Squirrel Hill when she hired a pair of brothers to start the synagogue's dancing school. One of the brothers, Fred Kelly, had taught the other, older brother, Gene, to dance. (Yes, that Gene Kelly.)  The two were excellent dancers and teachers, but Fred was also a working magician who performed throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Young Jack Greenberg was already interested in magic when, after a dancing class, Fred showed him some magic... and the little boy went from interested to obsessed. Fred and Gene Kelly remained close friends with the Greenberg family through the rest of their lives.

By the time he was fourteen, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.), the world's largest organization of magicians.  Local chapters of the I.B.M. are called "Rings," and Pittsburgh's Ring was known as "Tampa Ring 13," after a world-renowned Pittsburgh magician whose stage-name was Tampa. Jack quickly became one of the most active and integral members of the Ring, and he ran the Junior events when the annual convention was held in Pittsburgh in 1947.

During college at the University of Pittsburgh, Jack played trumpet in the marching band, and stayed on the band's staff during graduate school as the "Drill Master," the person who created and taught the marching formations for the halftime shows. He worked in the same capacity with the Mount Lebanon High School Band, taking them to twice to the Tournament of Roses Parade. His love of march music kept him active in the Pitt Alumni Band into his later years.

But Jack's involvement in magic never stopped. As a young man, he performed as a recurring character, a "Magical Milkman," with Fred Rogers and Josie Carey on WQED's The Children's Corner. He remained in contact with Mr. Rogers, who called him occasionally with questions about magic and magicians.

Each Halloween, for fifty-one years, Jack performed magic shows in his Forest Hills living room for trick-or-treaters. Kids that grew up in the neighborhood eventually brought their children and then their grandchildren to watch the show he called "Tricks and Treats." Jack continued to join his neighbors each halloween, even at age 94. He enjoyed it when they asked, "Is this the house that had the magic shows?"

Jack was a member of the I.B.M. for eighty magical years, and was elected to be the I.B.M. International President from 2000 to 2001. At the I.B.M. Annual Convention in 2023, the Ring 13 membership announced the renaming of the Ring to Tampa-Greenberg Ring 13, in his honor.

Jack's beloved wife of 61 years, Carole, passed away in 2021. He is survived by his son Don (Sharon), his daughter Diana, and his granddaughter Anna.  He will be missed by family, friends, and magicians around the globe.

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 1 PM. Visitation 12 Noon - 1 PM. Interment Temple Sinai Memorial Park. www.schugar.com

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Condolences from Bobby, Paul, Betsy and Leslie Middleman. My parents Buddy and Marcia were friends with your mom and dad and I still remember your parents coming to our house in Beaver Falls in the late 50’s with yiu dad doing magic tricks for us. Again our deepest sympathies.

By Bob Middleman - March 13, 2025

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Growing up in Forest Hills just down the street from the Greenberg family, I became, and remain, a close friend of Jack and Carole's son, Don. I spent many enjoyable and interesting hours in their home. Through my time around and interactions with Jack (forever Mr. Greenberg to me), he became something of a larger than life figure in my childhood not only because of his commanding yet welcoming personality but also because of the things that made an awe-inspiring impression on a young boy: Halloween evening magic shows for the local kids; playing his trumpet in the neighborhood; and of course, the mysterious locked room where he kept his magic props and materials. He will always remain an indelible part of my memories growing up on Sharon Drive yet I can honestly say that my respect and admiration for him as a man and a person only grew in my adulthood. Rest in peace, Mr. Greenberg, as you reunite with your incredibly kind wife in the afterlife. Deepest condolences to Diana, Don, Sharon, and little Anna.

By Brad Kearns - March 13, 2025

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Don, Sharon, & Diana First Met Jack & Carol in the 1970's at the home of Broadway Magician BIll and Ce Joy in Brookfield, Ohio. We were all friends of the Late Dr. Tom Mistretta. Carol was a kind & gentle soul and JACK the word MENSCH is not big enough word for him. He was energizer bunny in all he did. The IBM Ring, The Pitt Band with Dr W. Tick McClintock et. al. his extensive library, Their ANNUAL HALLOWEEN HOME Setting The annual September Picnic The IBM International his business on Ardmore Blvd his dexterity and skill his ironclad memory he did nothing in a small way and we are all blessed to have known and enjoyed his vigor and zest for life A True MENSCH's MENSCH You are in our Prayers Barb & Craig "Buzz" Conroy

By CRAIG J. "BUZZ" CONROY - March 12, 2025

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Our sincere condolences. I have fond memories of the Gruber Family club meetings and programs enjoying jack’s company &of course his late wife

By Debbie and Marc Haber - March 11, 2025

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The Magician’s Last Trick by Mark Gregory The Magician’s last trick was his best, He vanished from the stage And left us wondering, quite impressed, How he’d escaped his cage. Now we know the truth at last, The secret of his art, His time with us and on earth has passed; His body must depart. His hat and coat are now retired, His wand no longer waives, The stage where he so often inspired Now silent as his grave. No more will he pull rabbits out, Or make cards disappear, But in our hearts, we have no doubt, His magic’s always near. The final act, the last encore, The show that never ends; His magic lives on forever more, A gift that he transcends. May the precious memories of our dear friend and mentor, Jack, comfort you and your family during this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies are with you. Joanie and Sam Kamin

By Sam Kamin - March 11, 2025

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I have so many fond memories of Jack and Carol when we were neighbors on Sharon Drive. May his memory be a blessing.

By Joan Stein - March 11, 2025

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Dear Don & Diana, Offering my sincerest condolences. Before Temple Sinai, I knew your dad from our American Institutes for Research days. I was so fond of both your parents. May Jack’s name be for a ble.

By Harold Marcus - March 11, 2025

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