John J. "Jack" O'Keefe

His chess help was immensely useful and I still think of him and the evenings we spent working on the chess program. His is missed.

We spent many enjoyable evenings with Jack as he helped us with book moves for the Chaos computer chess program. He was very tolerant of, or perhaps amused by, our chess ignorance and extremely helpful. Without him it would have been impossible to achieve the tournament success that Chaos had.

Jack and I only met once, at the US Open in Dearborn in 1992, but got to know each other through letters and latter e-mails over several decades. It was always a pleasure to read his views formed from extensive research, considered reflection and the insights of a strong player.

Jack was always helpful answering research questions and had a knack for locating unknown games of famous players be it Alekhine, Fischer or Rubinstein. These games usually came from his extensive files...

Strictly a class act...period.

I did not know Jack but his chess scholarship was legendary. His research formed the basis of many of the answers to my queries of others.

My deepest sympathies to Jack O'Keefe's family. I've been helped by Jack with some chess research for my books. He has been a gentle, generous and truly amazing companion. Rest in Peace, Jack.

I am Carla, Jack's granddaughter. I have thought of him more as a father, than a grandfather my entire life. I will miss him forever. Even now, I want to call him, but I know he won't be there....He will be in my heart forever. He has taught me soooo much and been an inspiration in my life. I will always miss you, G.P. See you on the other side.

Jack was my chess tutor and general chess counselor when I was editor of the state magazine Michigan Chess and the chess columnist for the Ann Arbor News. Jack was not only a master at the game of chess and a skilled chess analyst but even more importantly an exceptional chess scholar. I am only one of Jack's many chess friends who is blessed in having known him.