President of Glasgow Polytechnic Chess Club

The club is deeply sorry to report that our President, Ken Stewart, died on Saturday 17th November. He suffered a sudden and fatal cardiac event while hill walking.

Ken joined the Glasgow Polytechnic in the 1990s, and immediately his fantastic organisational strengths benefited our club and won the admiration of everyone. Initially using only Player Cards, he could run a 5 round QuickPlay without errors, never overrunning the 4 hour room rental or making any mistakes. Even now, with a computer program to help, that is a major achievement.

On club nights he was the first to arrive and the last to leave, initially setting out and later packing away the equipment, welcoming new members, arranging pairings, and being happy to play anyone himself. 

He was a totally reliable team player who generously drove out of his way to offer lifts. Over the decades he was a player of formidable strength with many exciting wins. For example defeating Vasyukov at a simultaneous. 

https://www.chessscotland.com/documents/history/Vasyukov1966.htm

Ken was a very modest, patient, gentleman who freely gave of his time, support and expert advice to all who asked.

As well as being President of Glasgow Polytechnic, Ken had a very long and distinguished career with Chess Scotland. He became an International Arbiter in 1984 and was their current Arbiter & Rules Director.

He kept very fit and enjoyed hill walking and had completed the Munros twice as well as climbing the lesser known hills, Corbetts and Donalds. It is a small comfort to know that he was participating in an activity that he loved when he died.

Ken was held in utmost respect by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.