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Larry Evans:
The most interesting man in the world
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 11-21-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune
[UPDATE 10-20-2015: Ingrid Evans dies]
Paid obituary in the Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, Reno Gazette-JournalLarry Melvyn Evans of Reno passed away due to complications from gall bladder surgery on November 15. Larry was born March 23, 1932 in Manhattan. He moved to Reno in 1968 where he met and married local artist Ingrid Seiver.
1932-2010
Simultaneously at work and at playLarry was an American chess Grandmaster as well as an International Chess Grandmaster and journalist. FIDE* awarded Evans the titles of International Master (1952) and International Grandmaster (1957). In 1956, the U.S. State Department appointed him a "chess ambassador".
Larry won or shared the U.S. Chess Championship five times and the U.S. Open Chess Championship four times. He represented the U.S. in eight Chess Olympiads over a period of twenty-six years, winning gold (1950), silver (1958), and bronze (1976) medals for his play, and participating in team gold (1976) and silver (1966) medals.Larry beat or drew 6 world champions including Euwe, Karpov, Petrosian, Spassky, Smyslov and Fischer.
Larry had always been interested in writing as well as playing. Larry began his career in chess journalism during the 1960s, helping to found the American Chess Quarterly which ran from 1961-65. He was an editor of Chess Digest during the 1960s and 1970s. For nearly forty years, until 2006, he wrote a question-and-answer column for Chess Life, the official publication of the United States Chess Federation (USCF).
His weekly chess column, Evans on Chess, has appeared in more than fifty separate newspapers throughout the United States. He also wrote a column for the World Chess Network. Over the years he wrote or co-wrote more than 20 books on chess.Larry's legacy as a chess instructor is to be found in such works as Chess in Ten Lessons, Chess: Beginner to Expert, The Chess Opening for You, What's the Best, New Ideas in Chess, his recent This Crazy World of Chess has gone through multiple editions. He wrote the tenth edition of the important openings treatise Modern Chess Openings (1965), co-authored with editor Walter Horn.
by Dennis Myers
Reno News & Review 11-25-2010He also made a significant contribution to Bobby Fischer's My 60 Memorable Games (1969), writing the introductions to each of the games.
Larry assisted American Bobby Fischer in his quest for the world title. He was Fischer's second for the Candidates matches leading up to the World Chess Championship in 1972 against Boris Spassky. Some of Larry's other books are Modern Chess Brilliancies (1970), What's The Best Move (1973) and Test Your Chess I.Q. (2001).
Larry also commentated on some of the most important matches for Time Magazine and ABC's Wide World of Sports, including the 1972 Fischer versus Spassky match, the 1993 PCA world title battle between Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short and the Braingames world chess championship match between Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov in 2000.
Larry's contributions to chess writing and journalism have earned him many awards, including the USCF's Chess Journalist of the Year award in 2000. He was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 1994. Larry was named Dean of American Chess at the 2007 American Chess Association's 150th Anniversary.In 2009 at the World Chess Federation Inc. World Chess Championship, Larry received the award of WCF Dean of World Chess.
Upon hearing of Larry's passing, Larry Parr, former editor of Chess Life, wrote "GM Evans is arguably the most versatile figure in American chess history. Larry Evans was the Chess Teacher of America. He did everything."
Larry is survived by his wife Ingrid and two step-sons Mike and Gary Seiver, he was preceded in death by step-daughter Karin Seiver (Zimmerman).Larry will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
Larry requested that there be no memorial service.
Family and friends will gather in the near future for a private celebration of his life.
___
*The World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs, known as FIDE from its French acronym)
Memories
December 1, 2010
Ingrid: Our sincerest condolences to you and family on the loss of your dear Larry.Don't know how else to reach you but please know our prayers are with you all.
Mary Llop and Louis Llop, DDS
Louis Llop
Reno, Nevada
To the Evans family: My sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Evans. He was the best. I loved reading his weekly columns, and remember reviewing many of them as part of my preparations when I played competitive tournament chess back in the '90s. I especially enjoyed his analysis of US Champion Sammy Reshevsky's games, as I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to play Mr. Reshevsky back in 1991. Larry's knowledge, skill and erudition truly set him apart. Although I never had the fortune to meet him in person, I felt as if I knew him, and I will miss him terribly.
Rest in peace, Larry. Mrs. Evans and family, my deepest sympathies on your loss.
Sincerely,
Perry Perez
(Tamarac, Florida) 11-21-2010Mike & Gary: Have not seen you guys in years but do think of you from time to time. My thoughts are with you and your Mom at this difficult time. — Doug Uhrig (Reno, Nevada) 11-21-2010
As a Young Chess Expert, I always enjoyed GM Evans' Q&A Column in Chess Life magazine. — Martin Deschner (Denver, Colorado) 11-19-2010
Arguably the most versatile figure in America chess history
Dennis Myers / Reno News & Review / 11-25-2010Evans remembered as "chess teacher of America"
Guy Clifton / Reno Gazette-Journal / 11-21-2010
Fladager & Reid: Legends of the Fall
Senior sparkplug Patricia Fladager dies at 89
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 10-31-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune
1921-2010From Pat Fladager's 12-15-2008 Christmas letter
Most of us are facing challenges of one kind or another and we all keep on...keepin' on. I thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed on me.
Through the years I have been able to visit the small communities many times, with SNEA (State of Nevada Employees Association) during my working years, RPEN (Retired Public Employees of Nevada) and the health fairs with Washoe Medical Center.
Through those years I have been blessed to develop treasured friendships within those communities.
I treasure the contacts I have had with each of you who receives this Christmas message.I have three lifetime friends still with us. Our home town, Tenstrike, Mn. Beryl Theis, Tacoma, Wa.; Twin, Sister Gemma at St. Benedict's, Crooskston, Mn.; and Viola Halvorsen who still resides in Tenstrike.
Some contacts have been for a short time only, nevertheless, meaningful.
I thank you all for making my life such a wonderful experience.
God Bless.
Sent with a heartful of love.
Pat
Pat's obituary in her own words, as edited by Marty Bibb
Patricia T. (Pat) Fladager Obituary 10/29/10
Contact Jeff Andrews (775) 843-7098 for details
Patricia T. (Pat) Fladager crossed over to the other side on October 26. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Ethel Travis, son Richard Rardin and husband Rudy Fladager. She is survived by her numerous friends and the thousands of young people she touched in her career.
Pat lived in Reno for more than 65 years and touched many lives because of a deep affection for people. She was known for the many friendships she made throughout her life.
Born in Tenstrike, Minnesota, a small town in the northern part of the state on March 9, 1921, Pat was graduated from Bemidji High School in 1939 and from the Northern Business College in 1940. During World War II Pat spent time between Minnesota and New Jersey and in July 1945 moved to Reno where her maternal grandmother lived.
For two years she was employed at Harold’s Club where she was a hostess which included greeting customers, explaining table games and serving drinks if requested. In 1953 Pat went to work at the Reno Police Department in the Identification Bureau. She was promoted to Secretary to the Chief. Later she became a sworn officer and the fourth police woman hired by the City of Reno, working there until 1958.
After receiving an extremely high civil service exam score Pat was selected to work at the University of Nevada in Student Affairs. There for more than 20 years she met thousands of students and touched their lives. Pat provided students with loving care and support, forging numerous friendships that lasted until the very end of her life. Upon retirement in 1982 Pat called that work "the best career anyone ever had."
An activist, Pat never hesitated to speak out for those who were treated unfairly or discriminated against in any manner. She believed equity meant "Judge each man on his own merit, not by the color of his skin, ethnicity, religious or political beliefs." She made friends in many quarters and held a special affinity for Blacks and Native Americans as well as a range of other minorities. Pat also had a special place in her heart for animals and was an accomplished piano player who enjoyed reading, camping, crossword puzzles and penning letters to editors.
She served on or led several boards and commissions during her earthly journey including the Elderport Board, Common Cause and was the first UNR classified employee chosen to sit on the Human Relations Committee. Pat was a member of the NAACP and received the State of Nevada Employees’ Association Jerry Cianci Award. She was recognized at UNR’s Honors Convocation with the Thornton Peace Award. Pat was a member of the Carson City Democratic Women’s Club and worked on behalf of State Senator Joe Neal during his campaign for Governor. Along with several friends she "adopted" a pre school group of Native American children in Hungry Valley. In that capacity Pat read to, interacted with and supported the children in many ways. In 2004 she was a strong voice in the successful effort to rename a portion of Clearacre Lane as Reverend William C. Webb Circle.
Pat was long involved with the Retired Public Employees of Nevada (RPEN). She joined the group in the 1980’s and remained active with the association until her death. She served the Washoe Chapter of RPEN in many capacities and was elected twice as its president. Pat then was chosen by RPEN as its state legislative chair, state 2nd and 1st vice presidents and as state president.
Several years ago RPEN re-named its most prestigious award "The Pat Fladager Special Recognition Award". Unable to attend RPEN’s September 2010 annual Board of Directors’ meeting in Mesquite, Pat was surprised by a teleconference call to her at home during the conference’s "Pat Fladager Awards Banquet". That pleased her greatly. Hearing her voice over the phone, 400 miles away electrified the more than 100 members in attendance.
In passing, Pat urges all those left behind "to look not AT each other but rather INTO each other wherein you find the heart and soul whose friendships you will find extremely rewarding."
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Thursday, November 4th at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker Avenue (near the corner of West 4th Street and Stoker). A reception will follow.
A private interment will be held prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Animal Ark 1265 Deerlodge Road, Reno, NV 89508 in her name or to any other charity of choice. For questions contact Mabel Mayes at 747-4690.
Obituary in Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, Reno Gazette-Journal
As composed and submitted (with photo) by Andrew Barbano
(Final print version was slightly edited by RGJ staff)
Patricia Fladager, Elderport co-founder, fourth female Reno cop, dies at 89Reno, Nev. — Longtime public servant and community activist Patricia Fladager died last Tuesday, Oct. 26, at her Reno home. She was 89.
Born in Tenstrike, Minn., on March 9, 1921, she graduated from Bemidji High School in 1939 and from Northern Business College in 1940.
In 1945, she moved to Reno where her maternal grandmother resided. She worked for Harold's Club for two years. In 1953, she was hired by the Reno Police Dept., first in criminal identification and later as secretary to the chief. She became the fourth sworn female police officer in city history.
She was hired by the University of Nevada in 1958 and worked in student affairs until her retirement in 1982.
In the 1970s, she and Dorothy Pharis co-founded Elderport, a volunteer transportation service for the elderly and disabled. It was taken over by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County and is today known as RTC Access.
She served on the board of Common Cause Nevada and was the first UNR classified employee chosen to sit on its human relations committee. She was honored with the State of Nevada Employees Association Jerry Cianci Award and was recognized at UNR’s Honors Convocation with the Thornton Peace Award. She was a member of the Carson City Democratic Women’s Club and, along with several friends, "adopted" a pre school group of Native American children in Hungry Valley. In 2004, she worked on the successful campaign to rename a portion of Clearacre Lane as Rev. William C. Webb Circle in honor of the retired longtime pastor of the Reno's Second Baptist Church.
She was active in the 1998 and 2002 gubernatorial campaigns of State Sen. Joe Neal, D-N. Las Vegas, who reacted to her death by calling her "one of my dear friends from the time I was first elected in 1972. I accepted her as a member of my family," the now-retired veteran lawmaker said.
Fladager served in several elected positions with the Washoe Chapter of Retired Public Employees of Nevada, including two terms as president. Several years ago, RPEN re-named its most prestigious honor "The Pat Fladager Special Recognition Award."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ethel Travis, son Richard Rardin and husband Rudy Fladager.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker in Reno. A reception will follow.
A private interment will be held prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Animal Ark, 1265 Deerlodge Road, Reno, NV 89508 or to any other charity of choice. More information may be obtained by contacting Mabel Mayes at (775) 747-4690.
CWA 9413/AFL-CIO
N10/30 Pat obit / BRWR N10/31 Fladager/brwr/opsnx
Memories
The world will miss Patricia Fladager. Her belief in fairness and equity for all will and should be the benchmark standard for the Reno community and the world. She was rigtheous, but not self-righteous. Compassionate; giving; kind; multi-ethnically aware; determined to fight for justice for all and possessed a heart of gold. I join all who will mourn her passing and she will forever be my friend. — Dr. Alex Boyd, Jr., Richton Park, Illinois, 11-1-2010. [Alex Boyd was inducted into the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983. He played varsity basketball from 1967 to 1969 and was the first UNR product drafted by the NBA (Portland Trailblazers, 13th Round, 1970)]
Andy: I had no idea Pat had passed. Pat is one of the kindest, sweetest people that I have ever met in my life. Pat gave me smiles, support and love throughout my college career and her and Ms. Ralston did an incredible job of staying on us potential drifters and showing us love and always making sure we knew how important you were. Pat is one person in my life that I can say always made my day better by seeing her warm smile and wonderful hug. I regret that I did not take more time to let her know just how wonderful she was to me in my life and Mr. Ralston if you see this know that you are also loved and appreciated. — Darryl Feemster, Reno-Sparks NAACP, Reno, Nev., 11-1-2010.
Andrew: Well done and thank you for sharing with the Cincinnati Unit. She was a great person. —
Christopher Smitherman / Cincinnati, Ohio, NAACP, 11-1-2010.WOW! What a gift! Please pass on our deep regards. — Rev. John and Julie Auer, Naples, Florida, 11-1-2010.
Andy: Thank you so much for the wonderful article about Pat Fladager. She had a huge influence on my life as she had on many. I credit Pat with my long involvement with SNEA (now AFSCME), a time I will always treasure. She was a GREAT lady and will be sorely missed. Thank you again. — Gail Scalzi, Sparks, NV 10-31-2010.
Velma Bishop, 1928-2010: Mom is gone
Advice from beyond for Sen. Harry Reid / Labor leader Frank Byrne, Sr., dies
Barbwire by Barbano / Substantially expanded from the 10-3-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune
1928-2010From the Congressional Record
REMEMBERING VELMA BISHOP — (Senate - December 03, 2010)
[Page: S8475] GPO's PDFMr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and offer my condolences for the passing of a great Nevadan, Velma Bishop. A naturalized U.S. citizen from Canada, Velma labored diligently in many charitable and civic opportunities and programs. She was a wonderful mother and a wife of 45 years to her beloved late husband, Gail Alexander Bishop. Not only will her local, religious, and political communities miss her impact, but so will the great multitudes of people she has been able to touch through a life devoted to service. It is my great honor to recognize her life's work before the U.S. Senate today.
The State of Nevada will miss Velma's can-do spirit. She sacrificed much of her personal time volunteering with special-needs children and orphans. Many people with no biological relation nonetheless knew her as "mom." Her arms were open for anyone; her kind spirit will always be remembered. She was also a very involved member of her local congregation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Velma worked diligently to raise money for nonprofit concerns and even found time to manage various campaigns for the Democratic Party of Nevada. She never shied away from voicing northern Nevada's needs. Until recently, she continued playing an active role in the Gail Bishop Chapter of the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans, aptly named after her late husband. Her involvement in the public service back home found her befriending many of the underrepresented or overworked. She battled courageously on their behalf. Among her many mourners is the former Rep. Jim Bilbray, D-Nevada.
I join with my friends back home in Nevada to honor the wonderful life of Velma Bishop. For 81 years she has immersed herself in enhancing the lives of others. I am grateful to recognize her achievements, and with a heavy heart, know that many people join Susan, Steve, and Kate in missing their "mom."— Courtesy of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid, D-Nevada
Reno Gazette-Journal paid obituaryVelma, beloved matriarch of the Bishop family, passed away on September 28, 2010 at the age of 81. She lived with her daughter Susan and grandson Quentin in Mogul. She is also survived by son Steve (Jackie) and daughter Kate (Frank); grandsons Dan (Kristen) and Jeff (Amanda); and great-grandchildren Ethan, McKenna and Alex.
Born in Sibbald, Alberta, Canada, Velma was a naturalized US citizen with roots in Wisconsin, who spent the bulk of her adult life in Nevada and California. She was the last survivor of nine siblings and was happily married to the late Gail Alexander Bishop for nearly 45 years.
Velma devoted her life to her family, but also engaged in many charitable and civic activities. She volunteered with special needs children and orphans, performed fundraising for non-profit concerns and managed several campaigns for the Democratic Party of Nevada.
Later in life, she was welcomed into the Mormon Church where she dedicated herself to Temple Work and the Relief Society. There she cultivated many lifelong friendships. Together with Gail, she also served as surrogate parent for anyone in need, including nieces, nephews and neighbors. She continued to expand her already extensive network of relatives through genealogy, and delighted in adding to her large community of family members. Velma was of the old school of homemaking—she cooked, sewed, gardened, canned, baked, landscaped and designed.
She also had a sense of adventure, and joined her family in a variety of physical endeavors and travels to distant parts of the world. Admirably, she remained the eternal optimist, despite a barrage of physical ailments which plagued her throughout her later years. Her life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Mogul Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from October 2 to October 3, 2010
Memories
Dear Bishop Family:
Please accept our heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Her loss will leave a hole in your heart, but the good memories will keep her always in your thoughts. She is one of those bright stars in the night...
Tom and Anita Scheetz
Sidney, Montana
October 04, 2010
Dear Bishop family, My father Stan and Mom Marie Phelps had many years of great memories,Gail and Velma was the reason my family moved to Reno area, Mom passed in 2008 but always talked about her buddy Velma. With love and respect may God hold you tight she is with all the other loved ones and friends.
Lannette Marks
October 04, 2010
My dear Sue - your Ma was a very loving woman and it shows in you!
God bless you and your family. I love you!
Robin Rogers
Sparks, Nevada
October 04, 2010
Dear Bishop Family:
Please accept our heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Her loss will leave a hole in your heart, but the good memories will keep her always in your thoughts. She is one of those bright stars in the night sky always watching over you.
Love and prayers,
Tom and Anita Scheetz
Sidney, Montana
October 02, 2010Grandma Bishop has soooo many "grandchildren" around the world who are thinking of her right now. She enriched the lives of all of us whom she considered "family". We all were blessed when she came into our lives!! Love to all the Bishop family.
October 02, 2010Deepest condolences to the family, May you be comforted during this time of loss and thereafter (2Cor 1:3&4).
BRY
California
October 02, 2010
My condolences to Steve, Cathy, and Sue. If I could laugh like Velma did, I would be happy for the rest of my life. From Tahoe to Reno she remained a woman my Mother always confided with. I shall never forget Velma driving through 10 feet of snow in that Ford Station Wagon bouncing from snow bank to snow bank trying to get home at Incline Village. When she finally got there, she said, I just don't understand it, the dashboard said I was going 80 miles an hour, but it seemed like I was only going a few feet a minute. Then she would laugh and when she laughed we all laughed..
Such a good time we had with Velma in our company.
Hank Ellithorpe
Glendale, Arizona
Pat Potter
UPDATE THURSDAY 8-5-2010 04:40 a.m. PDT, 11:40 ZULU/GMT/SUT/CUT — Retired teacher and former Carson City Democratic Chair Pat Potter died at her Carson City home after a long illness.
