TO EDGAR (1925-1997) …. WITH LOVE
Sifting through some of my memorabilia, I encountered a box with booklets on pink engrained paper which served as a touching memorial to Edgar Kaplan. Knowing, loving, enjoying and partaking in a large part of his later life, I was devastated by his impending and eventual death after battling cancer for a few years. As you will recall, Norman and Edgar played together for a total of about 43 years but for a short hiatus when he played with Sidney Silodor till his death .. (from 1960-63). Norman always joked that their true claim to fame (despite their many successes) was they probably lost more events together than any other top pair in the history of the game.
About two months after we lost Edgar, Gail Greenberg graciously offered to host at her magnificent bridge club (HONORS) on East 57th a luncheon tribute to Edgar which drew people from all over the country, including WBF members James Ortiz-Patino (one of his closest friends and the Father of The World Bridge Federation) and Ernesto-D’orsi, a former president. I organized the hostesses (besides Gail was who quite generous in every way – especially with her single-minded goal to help take care of Edgar during the last year of his life). The other part of the foursome was Joan Gerard (who needs no introduction), Edgar’s sister-in-law Sylvia Kaplan from Canada and yours truly. Before Gail’s fabulous repast, we had about a dozen speakers from all walks of Edgar’s life, I remember myself being all teary eyed as I delivered one of the eulogies (on behalf of Norman and our daughter, Robin who adored Edgar and remained as his ‘temporary house guest’ on the 4th floor while working in New York till she found other lodgings – but there was no rush.). If ever a sad event could be a labor of love, this one stood out above all others. His close friend and co-editor of the Bridge World, Jeff Rubens, presided as Emcee and you could hear a pin drop as one great tribute followed another. As I recall, Edgar’s niece, Beth Kaplan, stole the show – reminiscing about her beloved uncle – in a manner of speaking and with words similar to what Edgar might have used. He cloned her diction and sense of humor in an accomplished fashion. The entire afternoon was a true Love In!!
Besides arranging over a dozen speakers at the actual luncheon, I proudly labored over a brochure (with a precious picture of a young Edgar in a sailor suit which I eventually fell heir to and is featured on my living room’s bridge Rogue’s Gallery as a lasting memory of one I loved so dearly). Also, several who could not attend, sent generous contributions and/or flowers to be part of the memorial.
For over a month, I diligently wrote to his close friends asking them for a brief tribute (though some wrote tomes) and included them in the booklet called REFLECTIONS … From Across The Miles. Those responding were ARTHUR ROBINSON, BILL ROOT, EDDIE KANTAR, JOHN SWANSON, PAUL SOLOWAY, PAULA SHEINWOLD (widowed by EDGAR’S KS CO-AUTHOR, ALFIE. who predeceased him by about a year), AL ROTH, CAROL AND TOMMY SANDERS, BETSEY WOLFF, RUSS ARNOLD, BOB JORDAN, FRANK STEWWART, MARY JANE FARELL, RUTH McCONNELL, MIKE SHUMAN, BILLY EISENBERG, WILLIAM J. SCHODER (“KOJAK”), JOEY SILVER (who as a young kid used to sleep at the NABCs in Edgar and Betty’s suite on the sofa as an up and coming Canadian star before he became a success barrister), CHIP MARTEL, BOBBY WOLFF, STEVE BEATTY, PETER NAGY, RICHARD PAVLICEK, KATHY WEI-SENDER, BOBBY GOLDMAN, LOUISE FREEMAN, DICK FREEMAN, LEW STANSBY, ALAN LeBENDIG, EDITH KEMP FREILICH, JUDY JACOBY, DANNY ROTMAN, BOB HAMMAN, CLIFF RUSSELL, JEFF MECKSTROTH, MIN AND HUGH ROSS, FREDDIE AND DICK GOLDBERG, GERRY CHARNEY, PAMELA GRAOVETTER, MATTHEW GRANOVETTER, JIM ZIMMERMAN, SAMI KEHELA, BENITO GAROZZZO, SHERI WINESTOCK AND FRED GITELMAN, JOHN W. FISHER, ANDY GABRIOLOVITCH, MIKE PASSELL, ERIC KOKISH, JOHN SUTHERLIN, PEGGY BERRY SUTHERLIN, MIKE BECKER, GEORGE RAPEE, EDITH AND GEORGE ROSENKRANZ, SUZY AND CHUCK BERGER, RALPH COHEN, EDDIE MANFIELD, BONNIE BRIER, DAVE TREADWELL, DAVID BERKOWITZ, LARRY COHEN, AND ‘GOREN OF THE NORTH’ – (as Edgar so quaintly named me), signed …. Alias ERIC R. MURRAY.
Our program had already gone to press but I added a small section entitled “LATE PLAYS’ which include EUNICE ROSEN, BILLY ROSEN, SALLY WOOLSEY, DAN MORSE and JOSE DAMIANI (now retiring WBF President after a fourteen year term succeeding Bobby).
The messages were from the heart – some very serious – others QUITE humorous. Two I feel compelled to quote, even if in portion because of space limitations, were Eddie Kantar’s:
“Because our names were so similar I frequently basked in Edgar’s reflected glory. I can’t count the number of times I was congratulated for books I didn’t write, tournaments I didn’t win, and classes I didn’t teach. At first, I used to say, “No that’s not me. That’s Edgar Kaplan from New York.” After a while I thanked everyone, telling them nothing. Edgar would not have minded.” ……………….. EK
The other I singled out was from his great Canadian buddy and teammate, Sami Kehela: “In the world of Bridge, Edgar was a man for all seasons – and he made the best Bloody Mary’s.”
I won’t confess how many hours I had taken off from running my baseball card business during this very satisfying adventure, but I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding endeavors of my life and I wanted to share this tribute to one of the most charming and gracious contributors to the bridge world.
JKW
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That was quite a project! I’ll bet the comments are heartwarming and well worth reading and probably a copy should be sent to ACBL for posterity. Or — any way of a Kaplan Fan obtaining a copy of the tribute?
Sandy
Sandy,
I really never thought about it.
All I have left are a few copies from the couple hundred printed. If there is anyone in particular whose tribute you would be interested in, I could always post it as a comment on request.
At the moment, that is all I can come up with. However, I admit some of them are just overwhelming (both serious and funny)– especially from those who knew Edgar so well. They don’t make ’em like him anymore. He was a breed apart.
Judy, I’m so grateful you write and speak about Edgar so often – and for that wonderful book of memories you put together. I knew him, of course, not as a bridge player but as an uncle, as a humorous, extremely generous, sometimes critical but always open and curious uncle. Perhaps it was a relief for him to have one person in his life who knew absolutely nothing about bridge; we talked about food, wine, travel, history, geography, books and writing and politics … or at least, he talked and I learned. I miss him fiercely all the time – his intellect, his sharp, dry humor, and his love.
Yes, Beth:
I know my reflections on Edgar always sound so gushy, but you confirm my experience (of his not only being a bridge guru) — but one of the brightest and most well rounded individuals who has touched my life. Norman and I were most fortunate for him to play such a major role in our existence — not to mention all the victories he helped bring Norman’s way. It was a partnership made in heaven and I was just lucky to have been in the right place at the right time.
Beth, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked “Are you a relative of Edgar Kaplan’s?” I generally answer, “Oh; UNCLE Edgar?” with a smile on my face. Then, I follow it up with, “I only wish!”
Difficult to give “Uncle Edgar” accolades and have them be overstatements.
Peg:
You always say the right thing.
You must have known him
pretty well — as you hit the nail on the head.
He stands alone in bridge history. Believe me none of this garbage you read about on my blog would be going on if Edgar were still alive. Bridge has changed greatly — but not for the best.
Cheers,
Judy
hi judy,
i just want to thank you for your writing and musings. i am a johnny-come-lately to the world of duplicate bridge having only joined the acbl and the world of duplicate bridge in 2007. i have spent a lot of time reading to learn how to play the game better and, as a consequence. have come to recoginize many of the names that you write about. it seems as if you have lived your bridge life in a bridge museum. you are connected to everyone! keep writing! the stories are great and posterity will appreciate your contributions i certainly do! thank you!
Dear John:
Thank you for your very kind remarks. I am indeed a lucky lady, not only being married to Norman almost forty years until his death in 2002, but then having crossed paths and marrying Bobby almost two years later.
I can still feel the excitement of meeting the great stars of their day. Among them were Goren, Jacoby, Schenkin, Becker, Gerber, Leventritt, Murray, Kehela, Mathe, Roth and Stone (with whom Bobby and I are still very friendly and visit him every few weeks). Stoney (who is now 92) was one of Bobby’s mentors. In fact, when Norman and I got married, Stoney (a teammate of Norman’s) had connections at the Flamingo and sent us there for five days on our honeymoon. How exciting it was to see LV for the first time. Who would ever dream that would be where I would end up living????
Those named above are just a few of the many greats I had the honor of meeting and watching in their prime. Norman’s partner from 1960-1963 was the great Sidney Silodor, whom I just adored. His vision started to trouble him but by the time he got checked out, the cancer had reached his brain and he only lasted a few months.
However, I did spend a lot of time with him in his healthy days and kibitzed many a tournament where he and Norman played. We got along fabulously and the night Norman and I got engaged, we drove over to the ailing gentleman’s home to show him the ring and tell him the good news. I shall always cherish his words to my future hubby, “Congratulations, Norman. That’s the best contract you ever made.” Funny the incidents people remember.
Bridge is a wonderful game (in fact no other was as majestic when first introduced). It has changed a lot since it first appeared but has afforded millions of people a great deal of pleasure. Being an expert is not important. Deriving a lot of pleasure from the game should be one’s incentive.
As I’ve said before, if I don’t relate these stories, they will die with me, so in between my crusades to improve the obvious problems of the day, I will continue to share personal stories of days gone by. Thanks again for your nice words. Blogging is very time consuming and it is so gratifying to receive messages like yours.
Cheers,
Judy
I enjoyed reading your story. It is sad that when we have a memorial for somebody so special they aren’t there to hear the eulogies.
Hi Linda:
I am in the process of looking for my files on the beautiful tribute Robin and I put on (in
Phoenix?) at the Spring Nationals after Norman died in January, 2002.
The ACBL graciously supported it and we had a host of speakers, coffee and refreshments and some video snippets from earlier days which I have on tape. Soon as it surfaces, I will post it. Makes very touching reading as Norman was one of the most beloved bridge players to grace our scene. If I don’t find the box, I always have the front page coverage of the Daily Bulletin which details the tribute and is hanging in my Trophy Room which Bobby proudly shares with Norman. Lots of combined Spingolds, Reisingers and Vanderbilts — enhanced by Bobby’s seven Bermuda Bowls.
It is a real eye-catcher. My only complaint is the upkeep — especially the polishing,
Norman will be gone coming up on nine years. Hard to believe.