Iowa State Chess Association

By John Herr and Eric Vigil

2016.03.01

Roger Gotschall, longtime patriarch of the Cyclone Chess Club, passed away Sunday, February 28 around 10:00 P.M. at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 77 years old. 

After a seemingly successful bout with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, a subsequent check-up on this cancer revealed a new problem: a build-up of fluid around his heart. Tests showed he had a growth on a heart valve. His death came three days after the initial discovery. 

Roger was an eager teacher and promoter of chess at all levels. Friends remember him for his kindness and ability to inspire a love of the game and a desire to become better. Roger was also a gardener and took great pride in growing inedibly spicy peppers. He is survived by his girlfriend Barb, as well as numerous friends both inside and outside the chess community. 

A memorial reception will be held at Grandon Funeral Home in Ames on Saturday, March 5 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. There will be no viewing of the body. Roger will be buried in Blencoe next to his parents. 

Please send stories you have about Roger to either myself evigil@gmail.com or Mark Capron mcapron243@mchsi.com so that we may compile them into the next En Passant which will be dedicated to him.