GM Edward Bruch

[Alan Millhone]

Hello everyone:

Received an email this morning from Mr. Craig R. Bucki of the passing of his " Granddad" at age 95. More information will be posted as it arrives on this forum and on Mr. J.R. Smith's site. I notified Mr. Jim Loy for inclusion in our next bulletin.

I always enjoyed my time with Mr. Bruch and managed a draw here and there.

Our game has suffered another major loss with Mr. Bruch's passing.

" At last my trophies I lay down "

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[Alex_Moiseyev]

One more not with us We shouldn't have many new comers at this level soon, great lost. I played with him in my very first Anglo-American Checkers event in September, OH 1996 in Massilon.

He always been a good model of checkers player and gentleman for me.

My great sympathy to all family members, checkers friends and colleagues.

I am expecting now to see details regarding funerals and ... depends day and time may try to attend it in Buffalo.

Regards,

A. Moiseyev

[tommyc]

So well thought of all over the world of checkers Ed Bruch, sorry to hear the news he WAS a true legend RIP..

[MostFamousDane]

RIP - that is a big loss.

I played him in vegas a couple of years ago where he was still playing at a high level (especially considering his age). We were playing a lucy long opening and I made a move a little out of the opening that wasn't published play (but sound) - a little later I offered him a draw and he begrudgingly accepted with the words: "I thought you were going to teach me something!"

[chipschap]

I had the privilege of corresponding with Mr. Bruch a little by email and recall sending him a copy of WCC Platinum--- Mr. Bruch certainly was interested in computer checkers. Most recently he had written about playing checkers in Hawaii. Even though I never met him in person, I'm so sorry to hear the news of the passing of another of the great men of our game.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I would like to share here one story related to Mr. Bruch

In 1998 National when I played with Ed Bruch and due to some lack of PP, I played a new but sound move. I didn't handle it well and gave him a chance to score a fine win by using a pretty shot. He missed this win which was published then in ACFB.

Later I find improvement in my play which I used against him in 2006 or 2007 PA State event. I played the same move but later improved my play and game ended with nice scientific draw.

Right after the game I set position on the board at critical moment and wanted to tell him about the whole story but ... he immediately said: "Didn't we play it in 1998 where I missed a win ? You played it better now !" So - it was him (in his 90) who remind me about everything. Fantastic, exceptional memory.

He was in great physical form before he became inactive in checkers 3-4 years ago.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[Alex_Moiseyev]

For those who is interesting and plan to attend - below is email from Ed Bruch grandson Craig (30 years). I will research tomorrow and check with my manager if I can make it without taken extra vacation day:

1) Leave Columbus at 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
2) Come a little bit after 8:00 PM but before 9:00 PM to Perna Funeral Home in Buffalo (my GPS shows 5 hrs 15 minutes driving time).
3) Meet last time with Ed Bruch.
4) Spend some time with family members.
5) Leave around 10:30-11:00 PM and come back to Columbus around 4:00 AM.

A bit challenging but still possible though ...

===============================================================================

Dear Alex,

Thank you so much for your message, and for your kind words and your condolences. My grandfather spoke of you often, and always held the highest respect for you and your abilities as a player.

My grandfather's wake will be held tomorrow from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home at 8630 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY 14051. (Transit Road, NY Route 78, is Exit 49 off the New York State Thruway, which is Interstate 90, and the funeral home is several miles north on the left, just before Transit Middle School.) On Wednesday, August 22, prayers will be held at the funeral home at 9:00 a.m., and my grandfather's funeral will take place at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Gualbert Roman Catholic Church, located at 83 Gualbert Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211. As a practicing attorney, I know how busy work schedules can be, but if you would be able to come, my family and I would very much look forward to meeting you after we have heard so many good things about you for so many years.

Very truly yours,
Craig Bucki

[Palomino]

Below is a link to the online obituary from the funeral home.

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignit ... cale=en-US

[Lindus Edwards]

I met Mr Bruch at Petal, Mississippi during the International Match and found him to be a very nice gentleman and a wonderful checker player. My deepest sympathy to his family.

[Ingo_Zachos]

RIP

GM Ed Bruch (USA),

He died aged 95 and was a top finisher at US nationals even in his early 90ìes.

Checkers has lost a true grandmaster and a lifelong friend.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

It is 3:55 AM and I just came back from Buffalo where I met last time with Ed and family members. Two more local checkers players attended. I spoke with Ed grandson, daughter, son in law. It was very friendly and lovely atmosphere. I learned alot about Ed life and his family.

There is a huge checkers library and alot of raritets and personal items which family still plan to process and classify. His daughter promised me that nothing will be lost.

Grandson Craig plans to establish a small fund in memory of his granddad.

Details later.

Regards,

Alex

[vhabgood]

I have to share one of my most favorite checker memories ever myself. In 2001, I did not play very well in the National tournament in the masters division. The night I was departing I spent several hours waiting on a flight with Mr. Bruch. It seemed like that conversation lasted days because I was so interested in all the things he had to say. He told me about the beginnings of his checker career and how he learned to play the way he did. He was very encouraging to me to go back and re-think my preparation strategies and the way I needed to study the game. However, what I didn't expect, was how he was able to pinpoint some of my struggles due to things that were going on in my life outside of the game. The wisdom he shared with me will be forever appreciated and remembered. He also happen to share some of his prepared lines on a few different games as well . Mr. Bruch may be lost in person, however I know that I am surely not the only person who he left a little piece of himself with. RIP.

-Victor C. Habgood II

[Palomino]

Below I have posted Mr. Bruch's obituary from Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home.


December 6, 1916 - August 18, 2012

Edward A. Bruch, an internationally ranked checker player, died after a brief illness on August 18 at the age of 95. Born in Buffalo on December 6, 1916, Edward Bruch grew up on the city's east side. A graduate of Seneca Vocational High School, he would return to college later in life and earn a bachelor of arts in history from the University at Buffalo in 1975. Later, in retirement, he established residency in Amherst.

As a youth, Edward Bruch enjoyed activities at what was then known as Humboldt Park. It was there that he started to play the game of checkers. At the age of 20, he won first place in a checker tournament sponsored by Buffalo's Polish daily newspaper, the Dziennik dla Wyzystkich. Then in 1938, Edward Bruch became Buffalo City Champion in a tournament sponsored by The Courier Express and the Buffalo Recreation Department. This victory helped to prepare him for the 1939 national championship tournament in Flint, Michigan, where he earned an 8th place finish. For parts of nine decades, from the 1930's through the current decade, Edward Bruch played competitive checkers. His best standing occurred in 1976, when he finished in second place at the United States Open Tournament. In 1989, he represented the United States at an international competition in Great Britain. As recently as 2008, he declined an invitation to again represent the United States at a competition in the People's Republic of China. A life member of the American Checker Federation, he was a frequent winner of the Canadian Open Checker Tournament and was the current New York State Checker Champion.

A veteran of World War II, Edward Bruch served as a member of the Army Weather Corps. He spent most of the war at Dawson Creek in British Columbia, where he worked to establish and maintain a key weather station along the Alaskan Highway. Proud of his military career, Edward Bruch was active in veteran activities for many years, and was a member of the A. J. Jurek Post of the American Legion.

Returning to Buffalo after completing his military service, Edward Bruch accepted an appointment to the Buffalo Police Department and eventually earned the rank of Lieutenant. After more than thirty years of distinguished service to the police department, he retired in 1979.

Edward Bruch was active in Polish affairs throughout his entire life. A member of the Polish Union of America, he served for more than twenty years as lodge secretary for St. Joseph Society, Branch 225 of the Polish Union, and was twice a delegate to the Polish Union's National Convention. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Polish Community Center in 1979, and served one term as treasurer of that organization. In 2010, the General Pulaski Association of Western New York honored Edward Bruch as one of Polonia's outstanding senior citizens. With his wife Victoria, Edward Bruch was a member of St. John Gualbert's Parish for more than fifty years.

A life-long Democrat, Edward Bruch was a member of the Amherst Democratic Committee at the time of his death, and was honored to serve as treasurer for his daughter, Dr. Deborah Bruch Bucki, in each of her campaigns for Amherst Town Board and Amherst Town Clerk. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his son-in-law, United States Bankruptcy Judge Carl L. Bucki, and by his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Craig and Kathleen Bucki.

[Patrick Parker]

A very nice bio of Mr Ed much enjoyed.

[Jason Solan]

Very sorry to hear of Mr. Bruch's passing. I feel honored to have played against him several times at Ohio and PA tournaments of the past. He will certainly be missed.