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BORN
1941
DIED
2015
Robert Holyon Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Holyon
Dave Penkalski
July 17, 2023
I saw this a while back and was too stunned to add a comment. Bob and I used to meet on Brady street in Milwaukee in the 90s for 10 minute chess games. Uproariously fun! We met over the board in a chess tournament once, and I witnessed his superb skills in BG many times in the rec center at the UWM union. Bob was always a gentleman, win or lose, chess or BG, and I look back on those games-- and times-- with great fondness. R.I.P. Bob!!
kevin kratsch
March 6, 2023
i just saw he had passed. i was a fellow BG player and we traveled often to Madison and Chicago tournaments. I always beat him in tournaments but then after he took all my money gambling. Together we did well in the player calcuttas.
he was the best BG player I ever played and I have played them all.
RIP my dear old friend.
Marc Ingenoso
December 16, 2021
Many times in the 1980s I took a Badger Bus from Madison to Milwaukee, and then a city bus to Bob and Lenore's. Beat up the Madison players and then give it all to Bob! It was worth it. Before neural nets, there was Bob Holyon in Wisconsin. He was nice and pounded me at 5 minute Chess for free when I had had enough of Backgammon.
Jeff Kane
October 4, 2019
Backgammon Master. Taught me more than any book. Couple dozen road trips to regional tournaments and doubles matches. "Timing is everywhere ! " "When in doubt, play pure." 101 great memories v/s 0 bad. WoW.. You and Lenore. Very missed. PEACE
Fred Allsbrook
May 12, 2017
I remember Robert Holyon from the 1973 Wisconsin State Chess Championship in Manitowoc and later in the 1975 North Central Open chess tournament. I watched him analyze his game against the tournament winner William Martz which unfortunately Robert Holyon lost.
Jim Hazelton
December 6, 2015
I remember Bob and Lenore fondly, backgammon at First Street Wharf and Dueling Oaks and road trips to Gammons in Chicago. What genuine and gentle people!
Patricia Blochowiak
March 28, 2015
Missing you, Bob. Thinking about memories on Arlington and since.
Peter Abbott
March 19, 2015
Like many others, I mainly knew Bob through backgammon. I learned so much, not just how to play, but how to think. I'll always value that. (Sorry, I forgot to leave my name the last time I left this message.)
Richard Ramsey
March 17, 2015
"Papa Bob" was a kind, friendly person. He let me stay with him for several months. Arlington House was a fun place. My condolences to his family and others close to him. Sorry I lost contact. --"The Richard" from the Velvet Whip
March 10, 2015
Like many others, I mainly knew Bob through backgammon. I learned so much, not just how to play, but how to think. I'll always value that.
Mark King
March 10, 2015
He taught me more backgammon than anyone. We played hours and hours, often Friday nights well into Saturday morning. Even now when I need to figure out the right moves, "what would Bob do" always helps, and usually means "stay pure". I miss him already.
Bob was "Milwaukee's Finest" backgammon player who won the first event I directed (Midwest Backgammon Championships) back in 1984. I will miss him.
Bill Davis
March 9, 2015
Linda Rockwell
March 8, 2015
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I knew Bob from playing at backgammon tournaments, and he was always a pleasure to play and talk with. He will be missed
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