Memorial Tribute to Paul H. Trattner, M.F.A., F.R.C.

By Dr. Bob Hieronimus

 

The last photo of Dr. Bob Hieronimus and Paul Trattner together at the annual pool party for Ruscombe on July 13, 2013. Paul was the Vice President of AUM and Dr. Bob the President.

It is with a heavy heart that I report the loss of my dearest and oldest co-worker Paul H. Trattner who passed on to spirit on August 28, 2013. Brother Paul joined us numerous times on 21st Century Radio® together with his beloved wife Bernadette to do astrological and tarot readings for listeners and educate us on other mystical subjects.

To treat him right, I would need to write an extended obituary that would detail his genius of bringing joy and happiness to uncounted numbers of children and adults in many ways. I will start with one of his greatest contributions to our city, state, nation and planet. I say that because he was indeed a planetary citizen. With the warmest heart and the most generous spirit, he was well ahead of the curve in the education of other planetary citizens.

Bernadette and Paul Trattner in Magi Costume, December 31, 2004.

Before 21st Century Radio® could be born, the ground had to be prepared, and that was done through the founding of the Aquarian University of Maryland.  Paul Trattner was the key, instrumental element we needed to get the state approved accreditation for this school.  AUM began at Johns Hopkins University in 1969 and went on to become the first school of its kind to be allowed to grant state-approved certificates in the areas of the occult sciences, mystic arts and religious metaphysics.  It made world headlines. While many expected such a school would have come from the West Coast, Baltimore led the way. It still exists as part of the Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center co-founded by Zohara and I in 1984.

Paul began as the best student I ever had at anytime in my life.  He continued throughout all the courses and eventually surpassed me in the work of teaching and exemplifying an advanced being. It was my job to see that the faculty of AUM had the ability and knowledge in their fields to educate thousands of students. Without a capable faculty such an idea of state approval was a scam, so to get state certification in these very controversial fields, we needed a reputable faculty. When I went before the Maryland Board of Education, Paul Trattner was one of the most convincing cases that helped them decide in our favor.

Paul welcoming guests to the 1990 Ruscombe Mansion Open House.

Paul had grown into one of the best teachers in America. He was a genius, and I was in awe of his abilities. As one of Baltimore’s most respected art teachers with an M.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art, he eventually became the Vice President of the AUM Esoteric Study Center and served as such for over 30 years, up until the day he passed into the spiritual dimension.

Watch this website for future postings of Paul’s private works that no one else has ever seen.

Paul and I worked in tandem. We were both members of the Rosicrucian Order, Theosophical Society. The Liberal Catholic Church, co-Masonry, and students of anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner, etc.  We had 100% trust in each other.  He watched my back and I watched his. He kept the dream alive while I did what I could do to protect the vision of one people, one planet. I always believed Brother Paul would survive me, and see that our vision would continue. But now I feel like my horse has been shot out from under me.

Paul Trattner, Bob Hieronimus, Bernadette Trattner at the annual Ruscombe Mansion Open House, May 2004.

Paul is survived by his wife Bernadette who continues to birth numerous projects that unite people, and to work toward the vision that we are one people on one planet. I know how much she will miss her beloved partner.  The countless tears we have shed stem from all the wondrous times we’ve spent with a master magician who had no ego and was content to serve the planet without the recognition he richly deserved, but never desired. 

So mote it be.

 

 

Zohara M. Hieronimus was awarded her certificate in Occult Sciences from the AUM Esoteric Study Center around 1985. She is seen here with Bernadette Trattner on the left and Dr. Bob Hieronimus, and Daya Singh on the right.	Paul Trattner led the group at the congratulation party for Zohara M. Hieronimus upon her achieving the certificate in Occult Sciences from the AUM Esoteric Study Center circa 1985.
2009 was a very hirsute year for Dr. Bob Hieronimus and Paul Trattner, seen here attending the funeral of their mutual dear friend Margie Herskovitz on February 13th. Margie was not only one of the best astrology instructors at the AUM Esoteric Study Center, but she also served on the Board of Directors.	Paul and Bernadette Trattner made beautiful music together, 2001.
The many faces and characters of Professor Paul Trattner, Professed Artist of Legerdemain, included “White Beard the Conjuror” and “Mystic of the Seven Seas”
	Professor Paul Trattner was a master of the “Curious and innocent diversions for parlor and refined gatherings”. His magician characters included historic costumes and the history of magic. His Santa Claus made spirit bright, and as a psychic entertainer he excelled at palmistry, Tarot and mentalism.

 

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AUM in the Baltimore Sun, Coverage from Germany and New Mexico, 1972.

Paul H. Trattner was the first, and to this date only, student of the AUM Esoteric Study Center who earned all three certificates offered: in Occult Sciences, Mystic Arts, and Religious Metaphysics. This list shows the courses Paul mastered to achieve this highest of honors.

Read Part II of the Paul Trattner Memorial here...