Thursday, November 21, 2013

Les Mundwiler 1944-2013

We are sad to inform you of the passing of one of Manitoba's great chess friends:

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on November 20, 2013

LESLIE MUNDWILER

LESLIE MUNDWILER June 10, 1944 - November 17, 2013
Leslie died of cancer at Riverview Health Centre while receiving compassionate care in the company of family and friends. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, Les was predeceased by his beloved grandmother, Florence, and parents, Madeline Juanita Carrico and Robert Eugene Mundwiler. He is survived by sisters Marsha Hill and Linda Mundwiler, and sister-in-law Marlene Mazzuca; daughter Carla, her partner Bryan Fishburn and their son Henry.
Les earned a B.A. and M.A. (English) and in 1967, together with then-wife Sharon Wisemyn, Les renounced American citizenship in protest to the Vietnam War, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1972. He helped found housing Co-ops in Toronto and conducted related research for the Province of Manitoba.
At the University of Winnipeg he taught English composition 1985 - 1986, and from 1984 to present was sole proprietor of Highbrow Books, a local book store and publisher. Les studied classical music and was active in the Manitoba chess scene, playing at Expert level, teaching students and competing in tournaments.

Les published essays, criticism, fiction and poetry, recognized by notable Canadian writers such as David McFadden. His literary work, including a 1984 book on Michael Ondaatje, was rooted in theoretical interests and a humane, classical sensibility, shaped by preoccupations with imagination and Roman satire, tempered by shades of lyricism. 

For those who knew Les, his gently-stringent ethical standards could make you shrink in defensive fright, despite his hilarious send-ups, while you also admired the difficult dignity of his path of sacrifice and solidarity. His family and friends will love Les always, inspired by his intelligence and wit, and charmed by the echo of his uncompromising empire of sound. 

Memorial gathering on November 23, 1:00 p.m. at Chamberlyn's, Winnipeg Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made (with special thanks) to Riverview Health Centre.
The story behind the picture:
http://chessmanitoba.blogspot.ca/2011/10/2011-fargo-chessnuts-part-1.html

We'll be posting more about Les in the coming weeks.

1 comment:

Zug said...

I'm sorry to hear of his passing but also pleased to read about some of the great accomplishments in his life that I wasn't aware of. I'll miss him.