Bob Long 1945-2020

I knew Bob well. An Iowa player, he often came to Ilinois to sell his books and to play. He was a strong player with a peak rating of 2051. In addition to his publishiing business, he also organized seminars. Below is a rememberance from English IM Andrew Martin.

Bill Whited

Earlier this week, I received the terrible news that my old friend Bob Long had been murdered. Strangled to death in his own home. He was 74. It has been a terrible shock. Bob was a one-off, in the chess world a promoter , a publisher of eclectic material, and a bookseller, all on his own terms. I knew him since 2004, when he kindly invited me to feature in one of his chess festivals. I returned to the USA many times after that, working with him on more of these events, for the most part staying in his home. We became firm friends. Bob had a loyal , but limited clientele. If you got to know him, he was kind, generous and scrupulously honest. He made friends for life.

He was also irascible and woe betide you if you got on his wrong side. He would not lick the parts necessary to get a sale if he did not want to. This certainly cost him business over time. Bob had strong Christian faith. This helped him to navigate through earlier, very difficult family times, which would have emotionally destroyed many. Those who have described him as curmudgeonly, perhaps knew nothing of these problems. Bob did not have much luck in his life. I enjoyed his company greatly. We had frank discussions. I enjoyed meeting his friends at the events he hosted and many of them have become friends of mine. The last event in May 2019 ,was only attended by six people, but we all had a terrific time. Bob’s writing output was amazing . If you were a member of his inner circle you would receive emails and larger publications on a regular basis, which must have taken him hours or even days to create. All original, displaying his very high intelligence. I’m sure it was this type of dedication that bonded people to him, so that they would happily buy from him and even help him financially when times were tough. I can honestly say that ever since I knew him he was always surviving on very little money. Was Bob a businessman? He would like to think that he was, but for me he was more unique than that. In his own way, he was singular and that’s the memory of him that I will most retain. I will miss him greatly. Bob leaves behind three children, two sons and a daughter and I can only offer my sincere condolences at this very difficult time.

Andrew Martin