When I was 14, I started learning magic from saving up lunch money to secretly purchase magic instructional VHS. The first VHS I bought was CardShark. Vol.2 by Darwin Ortiz. I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr.Ortiz himself, but if I could, I'd def let him know he got my lunch money .

Last Saturday, the day after Mr.Ortiz had departed, I was booked to present at a fundraiser. The organizer talked about how growing up in the foster care system helped her, and how she remembers those who helped her along the way and that's why the fundraiser was to benefit the foster care non-profit. I thought it would make perfect sense to present a trick from Darwin. Without him generously sharing his magic with thousands and thousands of young magicians like myself, I wouldn’t be here today

RIP Darwin

Good job, Nash. I think Darwin would be proud of your efforts.

So sorry to hear of this.

I first saw Darwin at work at the very 1st Metro Magic in NJ, decades ago. He was absolutely amazing! One of the finest card men ever. And I heard that said by one of his oldest friends, that just happens to be considered the greatest coin man ever, David Roth. I remember Roth just sitting there beaming watching his old buddy work.

I remember once asking him about noted card shark, and old friend, DOC. I asked him how good was he? His response was in just 2 words, “Very good!”

RIP

That is so awesome you got to see him work in person.
I've always held Darwin's work at a high regards. Man what a legend

Nice work Nash - a fitting tribute indeed.

He will be sorely missed, I still cannot believe it.

A true genius.