CLARENCE KALENIAN

Clarence Kalenian Clarence Kalenian, age 87, died June 13, 2013 peacefully in Dothan, Al. He was born on Sept. 25, 1925. He was born in Chicago, Ill to immigrant parents Hagop (Jacob) & Adrine Kalenian. He graduated from Steinmetz High School of Chicago, Ill in 1943 where he was Chess team captain, NW Park District technician and was stationed in San Francisco, Hawaii & Midway. He won a checker tournament for Midway Island in 1946. He attended college at the Illinois Inst. of Technology (IIT), graduating in 1949 and was Chess Club president and IIT Chess Champion ('48-'49). AT IIT he was pre-law and obtained a JD law degree in 1951 from The Univ. of Miami and later practiced contract law at Philco Corp. and Amtrak. His father, who had once been Chicago checker champion, instilled in him a love of chess, checkers and backgammon. He went on to win many amateur chess titles, including Miami champion in '50, FL in '50, twice for Philadelphia in the '60's, PA in '64, NJ in '69, the US amateur chess championship in '71 making the cover of Chess Life magazine and made national AP news when he took a greyhound bus at age 86 from Dothan, Al to Philadelphia, PA and tied for first for World Senior Open in 2012 at the age of 86. He is in both the national Chess Hall of fame and the Philadelphia Chess Hall of Fame. He was an active member of the Dothan Chess club Tuesdays and also played chess at the Library Chess Club on Sunday afternoons. In addition to his love for chess was his strong faith, he was active in church for many years, read the Bible and loved to listen to Christian radio programs. He played violin when in high school and in the military. He has been living in Dothan, AL since 2009 after moving from Philadelphia, and also previously lived in Miami and Chicago. He is survived by sister Audrey Pilafian of Miami, FL, brother Robert Kalenian of Chicago, IL and their extended families, as well as his only son Dr. Mark Kalenian and his daughter-in-law Mariett Kalenian. He was preceded in death by his wife Marian N. Kalenian, a decorated music teacher who taught in Bell Glade, Florida and Philadelphia PA and who grew up in Port Orange, FL. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.