Photos from Ron Washington memorial

Many people shared many decades of memories of Ron.  Attendees included a couple National Masters, a member of the 1969 World Champion Boston Celtics, and others who loved Ron and who miss him.

The last two people who saw Ron alive spoke: he was going in "for a dip" with everything but shoes on ("I'll dry out in a minute").  The gentleman who was in the water with him turned around to head back to shore, and Ron was gone. He and others tried to save Ron, but it was too late.

Sorry I couldn't stay for food and blitz...but here are a few photos.

Rest in peace, Ron.

Ron Washington memorial at Chess Pavilion

No official word, but I believe that folks are doing something at the North Avenue Beach pavilion at 5 p.m. today.

Hope to see you there as we pay respects to Ron's memory.

"Chess hustler of North Ave. Beach drowned in Lake Michigan"

7-18-06 Chess Pavilion on the Lakefront at North Avenue. Ron Washington (Left) and Daniel Jones (Right) enjoy an evening of warm weather and chess as citizens come out and play and take to the bike paths. Photo by Scott Stewart/Sun-Times

Photo and story (follow this link) copyright Chicago Sun-Times.

Ron Washington: Gone but not forgotten

This impromptu memorial was set up at the Pavilion today:

And here are a few of Ron's friends who gathered to honor his memory today:

David Franklin, who sent these photos, writes, "Another, bigger, memorial will take place this coming Friday, August 3, 5 p.m. at the pavilion at North Avenue Beach." It's likely that there will be another memorial service on Saturday at Christian Funeral Home (3100 W. Irving Park), but that's only tentative...more tomorrow.

time flies

It's August 2nd, and I haven't been to the Chess Pavilion yet this summer.

It's hard to argue with Ron Washingon....

Only a couple weeks left to this summer; only so many summers in our lifetime.  See you at the lakefront!

chess tourists

Another blogger visits the Chess Pavilion.  (Our North Avenue Beach guest is from the Kenilworth, New Jersey, club, not Kenilworth, Illnois!)

Even I wouldn't go THAT far

Heh. Charming video clip and blog entry.

For future reference: if you must play for dollars at the pavilion, it's touch-move, baby.

The Chess Pavilion