Donald Desfor was college professor

NORWALK – Donald Merritt Desfor, a magician, photojournalist and tennis coach who was an original faculty member when Cerritos College opened in 1955, died March 29. He was born on July 5, 1927 to Jeanette and Irving Desfor of Queens, New York. As a teen, Don began performing magic with his father at parks and hospitals throughout the City of New York. He innovated silk handkerchief juggling and became a lifetime member of Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle.

After serving in the Coast Guard, Don graduated from USC, with a degree in journalism.

After joining the Cerritos College faculty, he would go on to earn a Masters then Ph.D. which focused on visual perception and the use of photographs in therapy.

In his last month of life, Don suffered from pancreatic cancer.

Don is survived by his wife of twenty years, Sue-Carol Desfor; four children: Donald F. Desfor, Diane Desfor Stalder, Emily Desfor and Laura Desfor Edles; his step-children Robin Dermer, and Michael Rappaport; sixteen grandchildren; and other family members.

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Published: April 9, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 52