Don 'Dondo' Aldrich RIP

Dale Gustafson informed me that Minnesotan friend of Manitoba Chess - Don 'Dondo' Aldrich has passed away.

Don C. "Dondo" Aldrich

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Aldrich, Don "Dondo" C. age 59, died May 15, 2012. Preceded in death by mother, Dorinda Aldrich. Survived by wife, Cynthia; father Anthony; brothers, Robert (Jane), Alan, Steven (Nancy); 9 nephews, 4 nieces, 8 grand nephews, 3 grand nieces; and many stupendous friends. A celebration of Don's life will be on May 24, 2012 at 2:30 PM, Castle Chess Club, 1121 Jackson Street, #134, Minneapolis, MN 55413. As he requested, no flowers, no ties. From 5-7 PM, Don will be holding court for the last time at the Bulldog NE, 401 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis 55414 As he requested, no flowers, no ties.

Published in Star Tribune on May 20, 2012

Don played in the 1997 Canadian Open in Winnipeg, and the 2002 Albert Boxer Classic, where he achieved an impressive second place.
http://chess.ca/players?check_rating_number=105507&key=120521

From the Chess Castle (Minnesota) Blog:
UPDATE: Don passed away at 1:30 this Tuesday afternoon.
SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR FRIEND DON [5/14]
Yesterday we heard the startling news that Don Aldrich, a long time and great friend of Minnesota Chess and Minnesota Chessplayers, is at the Hennepin Country Medical Center. Sadly his is unconscious and with seemingly no hope of recovery.  He was at the Twins game on Friday night when he suffered a heart attack. Any of his friends who would want to say goodbye in person only have a couple of days to do so. Many of our younger players may not know Don well, as his health and his demanding career as a trial lawyer had restricted him to only several tournaments as year. The rest of us, who have spent any stretch of years in the game, know Don well. I personally knew him since 1970. He always made the Twin Cities Chess League (where he won his board trophy in the gold section) and the Senior Championship. He was the first one to step up and join the Chess Castle when we first pitched the annual memberships, that enable us to hold our current space. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don and his wife Cynthia.