Will Higgins

will.higgins@indystar.com

He may have been one of the most versatile, multifaceted Hoosiers who ever lived: business executive, expert magician, author, jazz impresario, family man.

He collected art, too, focusing on the Hoosier group. At one time he was president of the Hoosier Art Salon. Oh, and he was a sports enthusiast, the tennis chairman at Highland Country Club.

Harry Edward "Huck" Riser died Nov. 26 at age 88.

"The last time I saw a list of the 10 best card men in the world, he was on it," Frank Dailey, a former president of the Society of American Magicians, told IndyStar in a 2005 interview. Riser was inducted into the society's Hall of Fame earlier this year.

"In the underground world of magicians, especially among those who enjoy sleight-of-hand, Harry is something of a legend." Stephen Minch, a publisher of magic books, told IndyStar in 2005. Riser wrote two books on magic, "The Feints and Temps of Harry Riser" and "Secrets of an Escamoteur."

Riser worked in the insurance business, finishing his career as executive vice president for Indianapolis-based Nyhart Co.

Then he devoted himself to jazz music, producing and hosting "The Grand Big Band Radio Hour" on WICR-FM. With his warm baritone voice, Riser signed off each show by saying: "Keep on digging the good stuff." He was inducted into the Indianapolis Foundation Jazz Hall of Fame in 2013.

Riser was married for 62 years to Mary Margret Shroyer, who died in 2013. He is survived by two children and a grandchild.

His calling is 10 a.m. until noon Wednesday at Crown Hill Funeral Home with the funeral at noon and then burial.The family is planning a celebration of life at Highland Country Club at a later date to be announced.

Contact Star reporter Will Higgins at (317) 444-6043. Follow him on Twitter @WillRHiggins.

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