Ed Edmondson
Born in Rochester, New York on August 13, 1920, Edmondson learned chess at his father's knee. He quickly became one of the game's most ardent advocates. He joined the Air Force during World War II, and by the 1950s, he was an active organizer, supporting and promoting the game wherever his Air Force assignments happened to take him. In 1961, he became the National Vice President of the U.S. Chess Federation. Two years later, he was elected president and the Edmondson era had begun in earnest.
Ed's vision for chess in the United States included an annual tour for chess professionals, a chess magazine with national impact, large retail mail-order sales, substantial membership increases and ultimately, an American world champion. When Edmondson's USCF presidential term expired in 1966, he was asked to become Executive Director, a post that was specially created for him.
Edmondson's devotion to promoting every aspect of the game in general and to supporting Bobby Fischer's quest for the world title in particular, was unswerving. Many knowledgeable people still believe that had Edmondson been able to accompany Fischer to the Tunis Interzonal in 1967, Bobby might have become world champion three years earlier. Edmondson personally stepped in and handled the intricate and delicate negotiations that eventually allowed Fischer to play in the 1970 Interzonal at Palma. Edmondson stayed by Fischer's side throughout the candidates matches, until Bobby sat down for his first game with Spassky. The rest, as they say, is history.
Although Edmondson's involvement in the U.S. Chess Federation had all but ended by the late 1970s, his tragic, premature passing in 1982 was a terrible loss for chess. The likes of Edmondson on the American chess scene - the consummate organizer, diplomat, director, politician and motivator - may never be seen again.