F.Wood

Frank Wood 1942 to 28th December 2020

It is my sad duty to report that Frank Wood, passed away on 28th December 2020 only six weeks after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Frank was a good friend to many and a much liked and well respected member of Wolverhampton Chess Club, which he joined in season 1996/7 after moving to the area from Cheshire. He had served the club tirelessly as Chairman and 'A' team captain for some years, and was always keen to make club nights active and welcoming. He was well known and popular in chess circles throughout the West Midlands, and had been Tournament Secretary of the Wolverhampton and District League from 2012 to 2017. Frank had played chess from the age of 11 & over the years had played for Cheshire, Lancashire & Staffordshire. He was an inventive player whose favourite opening was the Morra Gambit.

He was born in 1942 and attended junior and grammar schools in Sheffield, before studying law at Sheffield University. As a qualified solicitor his main career was in local government, after which he spent 6 years working for a Building Society before retiring finally in 2000. He had a very active retirement, travelling widely with his wife Chris. He also sang bass with Penn Singers. He was a member of Wombourne over 50's Rambling Club, again with Chris, often leading their walks and covering walks of 6-12 miles every week.

Frank was a true gentleman who will be widely missed for his hard work, friendship and invariable good humour, our deepest sympathy goes to his wife and daughter.

Phil Bull Wolverhampton Chess Club