Richard O. Staff (1923-2013)

Richard O. Staff, a former USCF member from Bass River, Massachusetts died at home on June 16, 2013. He was 90. He was born Feb. 2, 1923 and was raised in Claremont, New Hampshire, where he graduated from Stevens High School as salutatorian. He continued his education at the University of New Hampshire in Durham and served as a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he ran a family business in Claremont before pursuing a career in law. He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1959 and moved to Cape Cod that year. He began his practice with Henry Ellis in Hyannis, Mass. and continued the practice after Mr. Ellis's death, initially with Robert A. Welsh.

In 1977, Mr. Staff became a Massachusetts District Court judge. After his state-mandated retirement,he practiced law, provided mediation services, and served on the board of directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands.

In his free time, Mr. Staff enjoyed sailing on Nantucket Sound, engaging in political debate, eating lunch with the ROMEOs, reading, and using his iPad. He especially enjoyed playing chess and was a member of the former Hyannis Chess Club, where his first and only rated tournament was the Riotous Rook's Rumble in March-April 2000.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gail Jepsen Staff; 10 children, Danielle Ekzian of Destin, Florida; Jennifer Broderick of Ashland, Mass.; Guy Staff and Kristina Daglio, both of Brookline, Mass.; Laura Lasnicki of Plymouth, Mass.; Sabrina Staff of Brooktondale, New York; Sonja Staff of Bass River; Ariana Staff and Lea Faehndrich, both of Ithaca, New York; Vanessa Grancharov of West Yarmouth, Mass.; 12 grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.

Submitted by
George Mirijanian, Massachusetts Chess Association

Richard O. Staff may you rest in peace