Lou Reagan
Posted By thecircusblog on August 29, 2011
Lou Reagan was the other Hero who helped save the life of Chet Juszyk. Chet was working his cat act on the main stage arena when he was attacked, surprisingly enough by one of his most trusted lions. The two trainers, without thinking of their own safety, literally took the lion off Chet, but there had been significant damage done. Bill Gowan Thanks for your comment. I met lou many years ago, He indeed was a swell guy.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
4 Responses to “Lou Reagan”
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Lou was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Worked with hm on Clyde Brothers.
Ivan, I am sorry I missed this posting. Lou was my mentor, the first trainer I worked with upon joining the circus in 1973 and he taught me the animal training business. When he retired from Clyde Bros. I took over his tiger and elephant act. The kindest, nicest man you would ever want to know, who I am indebted to for the rest of my life. He taught me everything from twisting poppers by hand, to hand making a Lockhart hook from rake tines. How much did I love this man? My oldest son Adam, who has his own tiger act now, and is married to Jimmy Hall’s daughter, Elaine was named Adam Regan Burck on March 20, 1976. My mother still has a letter that Lou sent to her and my father in 1973 promising to look after me, keep me safe, and to do his best to teach me everything that he knew about animals and animal training. He said that although he had a daughter, I was like the son that he never had, and he was honor to have me by his side, and that she and my father should not worry about me as he would protect me, and not let me enter the cage until he was 100% sure I was ready. I met Chet in 1974 when he came to Edmond, Okla to visit Lou and they discussed the incident when the lion attacked Chet. This “townie” from North Dakota didn’t realize how lucky he was, until years later to have had that magical moment, to sit and listen to Lou and Chet “cut jackpots.” That’s all I can write now, Ivan. My eyes are filled with tears. I was indeed blessed, and I will remember Lou forever when I watch my son perform. Adam and Elaine just had their first child, a daughter named Lily Apolonia Burck. Lou isn’t really gone, in a sense his memory is still alive in the daughter of Adam Regan Burck.
Lou was my uncle. Unfortunately I was too young to remember him. Wish I had though.My older sister tells me stories of being in the circus when she was young and getting to ride the elephants in the show with my aunt.
The other man in the rescue was Dick McGraw. When Chet was attacked by Brutus lion, he was taken down hard. As Dick entered the arena, Brutus tore open Chet’s right rib cage. Dick hammered on Brutus, and from a vantage point behind his head, screamed into his ear, “Brutus! Brutus! Brutus!” He literally pulled at his ears to distract him. Brutus turned away from Chet, and Dick realized he couldn’t hold him off, plus the other 8 lions, and get Chet out alone. He yelled out, “Will someone please come in and drag this man out of here!” Lou Regan was already in by then, taking hold of Chet, and dragging him toward the door. Dick held off the 9 lions, who were then circling, checking each other out, readying for the gang-fight kill. Once Lou had Chet outside, Dick yelled at the boy on the door to take the lions home. The kid, who shall remain nameless, froze. Benny Bennett shoved the kid aside, and worked the door to unload the arena as Dick drove the lions out. They tried to stand Chet up, but he collapsed, torn open and bleeding profusely. He survived over nine surgeries, and went on to import animals for trainers and deal in rare animal books, but he was unable to return to the arena. Chet died at 81, of a bad fall in his home. God rest him, he was among the best.