Wayne Clark: A Personal Tribute

By Tim Just, NTD, NA

Wayne Clark was a very close friend. I mentored him as a TD until he surpassed me—the student became better than the teacher: IA, NTD, Organizer, Multiple Illinois Opens as a TD and organizer, Co-author of “My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut,” CCA TD for Midwest events (often the chief TD), Scholastics on the state and national level, FIDE International Youth Championships, Numerous Illinois Class events, Midwest and Chicago Class tournaments, World Open, US Open, Tim Just’s Winter Open, etc. At those events he mentored other TDs; thus, continuing the tradition. His influence on chess officials and players, both at the Illinois and National level, is immeasurable. His impact on the Illinois chess scene—as a TD and organizer—is beyond calculation. Additionally, he provided trophies to local organizers for their events!? He considered it a nice sideline that impacted the local chess scene. At one point US Chess named him the best of the best; i.e., 2013 TD of the Year.

He entered our Central Lake County chess club—AKA the College of Lake County Chess Club—as a player. He left as one of the top officials in our chess universe. He gave his best to both the players and TDs, while avoiding chess politics.

His last gig as a TD-IA was in St. Louis—an online FIDE tournament—right before he went in for heart valve replacement surgery. That was way back in the early Summertime of 2021. He never returned home. It took him six weeks to wake up from that procedure. By then his body had deteriorated to the point that his organs had mostly shut down. He did make a comeback, of sorts, but his body finally gave up at around 11 AM on 11-18-2021

He had two children and, if I am not mistaken, four grandkids. His grandchildren were his life. He loved the role of being a grandpa. If memory serves, he was 69 years old.

Wayne was a great story teller and humorist. One amusing tale of his is appropriate for this occasion: “I want to be cremated,” he would explain. “Then I want my ashes to be formed into chess pieces.” He had heard of a process that makes ashes into solid objects. “Then,” he explained with a wink in his eye, “my grandkids can play a game of chess with those pieces and say they played chess with grandpa!”

He and I got together each New Year’s Eve afternoon for chess--then an early evening meal. He held the upper hand in those games. I held the upper hand in the kitchen. That routine lasted for 20 years. This year on New Year’s Eve I will set up our chess board and clock again. I will pour his favorite adult beverage and toast him. Yes, we will set a place for him at our New Year’s Eve meal once again.

Beyond that holiday meal we got together once a month—when my wife had book club. The various eating joints around here become our destinations. Coffee once a week was a regular activity—it was where the idea of “My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut” was born. Sometimes for breakfast and chess we met others at the local buffet.

He improved my life in so many non-chess ways—he simply forced me to make my life better. He often saved me from myself. He is part of who I am. It sounds trite; but I will miss him forever. My world is diminished.

Goodbye old friend—RIP.

Services for Wayne Clark will be Sunday,November 28, 2021 from 2-4 at Strang Funeral Home, Grayslake Illinois.