Earl Hangen alive and well

[Jay H]

On Friday I received an E-mail from JR Smith asking me when Earl Hangen died...I e-mailed him back telling him I just visited with Earl a few weeks back, and asked him where he got his info.
JR has yet to respond to me.
Regardless, I just visited with Earl today and he is alive and as well as he can be....so, I don't know how far this rumor has flown over the past two days, or where it started, etc, etc.
But, consider it nipped from this point forward.

Regards

Jay "setting the record straight" H

[George Hay]

Jay, thank you for this update about Mr. Earl Hangen. --George Hay

[whitefork]

It was Earl who got me playing checkers seriously. I owe him a lot for that.

[JR Smith]

Hello Jay, I answered your email (jayhinnershitz@yahoo.com) thanking you for the information about your recent visit with Earl. I don't believe there was a rumor, just a private conversation between two checker players at the TN Open in Lebanon. We were talking about yesteryear players, contributors to checkers, and some of the colorful characters who played the game and attended tournaments. I being essentially new to checker only knew Earl from reading your site and old checker literature. I was on his mail list a short time until Earl stopped. It was questioned if Earl was still alive? I figured if anyone would know it would be Jay Hinnershitz so I asked you in an email. I probably should have stated... is Earl Hangen fine and doing well, but instead, I asked when did he die? Bad choice of wording on my behalf. I apologize for the confusion as I stated in the email to you.
A Checker Friend, JR

[Jay H]

Yes JR,
You caught me completely by surprize with your first e-mail.....I visit with Earl twice a month at least. I thought you knew something I did not.

Jay, thank you for this update about Mr. Earl Hangen. --George Hay

No problem George.....

It was Earl who got me playing checkers seriously. I owe him a lot for that.

Same here.....also, I never, NEVER, met, or know of, any single person who gave more to the game....over the years some gave more money, some gave more analysis, etc., etc.
But Earl gave EVERYTHING he possibly could.....He would deliver newspapers just to get enough money to mail out his "Wood's Ladder Report"....he even gave up meals to be able to have enough money to pay the postage.....never a more dedicated Checkerist has the world seen. Maybe some" just as much"...but none more, in relevant terms.

I'll leave you with this image of Earl.....he published this in his "Wood's Ladder Report".
His time on the Kearsarge is one of the things he remembers fairly clearly...along with several people. Mostly the ones he dealt with for years...Dennis Cayton, Jim Loy, Mac Banks (amongst the living). But, his memory is fading.....he doesn't say too much anymore.
He also can still play a decent crossboard game......



Regards

Jay "Friend of Earl Hangen" Hinnershitz

[Danny_Alvarez]

That is a great pic Mister H .... thanks for sharing and I hope Earl keeps doing well

Cheers
Danny

[JR Smith]

Jay most of the older player who played tournament checkers and mail remember his contribution to the game. He was so personal in his newsletter, printing pictures and reporting the mail ladder. Thanks for visiting Earl and keeping up the Museum.

[Jay H]

Jay most of the older player who played tournament checkers and mail remember his contribution to the game. He was so personal in his newsletter, printing pictures and reporting the mail ladder. Thanks for visiting Earl and keeping up the Museum.

JR Smith,
Yes, Earl is (at least) one generation removed from the current one.....anybody who played by mail from 1980ish to 2005 knows Earl.
The OMOCH site is dedicated to Earl Hangen, as is stated on the Homepage. If he were capable of being part of the site, he would be.
Unfortunately, the Earl Hangen that once directed the ACF Mail program no longer exists....
I miss the man he was.....
But, (and I write this not looking for any argument or debate) the book of life has been written...and all is as God wills it to be.

Regards
Jay "......" H