| Patrick D. Hart |
| By Joan DuBois | |
| January 18, 2010 | |
|
Patrick D. Hart (1955-2000)
Patrick Dale Hart, a USCF member who played, organized and directed tournaments at the Charleston Chess Club in South Carolina, died June 19, 2000. He was 44. He was born August 15, 1955 in Charleston, the son of Culbert M. and Margaret (Craig) Hart, and had lived here all his life. At age six, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. And by his senior year at Moultrie High School, he was confined to a wheelchair. But despite his affliction, he was able to complete high school with honors - using a telecommunications link to his home. Patrick was a pillar of South Carolina's chess community, especially of the state association and the Charleston Chess Club. He served as SCCA treasurer continuously from October 1985 until his death. For many years he was president and treasurer of the Charleston Chess Club, where he organized and directed numerous tournaments. As a USCF-rated expert, he wrote extensively about chess on computer networks - - long before players even heard of the Internet. The Website that he created for his club was one of the earliest on the Web. Patrick won his club championship many times. And he was South Carolina co-champion twice - in 1979 and 1995. He was considered one of the ten best players in the state, playing both over-the-board events and postal. In 1992, the USCF awarded him a "victory certificate" for winning more than 300 rated tournament games. Besides his parents, he is survived by his twin brother, Michael J. Hart of Washington, DC; a sister-in-law as well as a niece and a nephew. Obitiuary submitted by George Mirijanian, Massachusetts Chess Association. Patrick D. Hart - May you rest in peace. |