August 2014 - 68

Chris Larsen 1941-2014

Roy D. Fox 1946-2014

Karl Christian "Chris"
Larsen, Grand Life Master and one of Southern
California's top players
and teachers, died of
complications from emphysema June 24 at his
home in Laguna Woods.
He was 73.
A native of Norway,
Larsen earned a graduate degree in economics after military service.
Soon after earning the
degree, he departed for
Orange County in California, where he lived for
the rest of his life. Larsen
was widely respected for his bridge expertise and the way he
related to all players, from beginners to experts.
Ken Monzingo, who represents District 22 on the ACBL
Board of Directors, was one of Larsen's closest friends. "Chris
was adored and respected by all," Monzingo said. "He was, of
course, a world-class player. But more important, Chris's influence, wit and charm were evident everywhere, as he was a man
of unshakable integrity. He represented what all of us would
want to be: a true gentleman.
"Chris tirelessly taught bridge and always would share his
vast knowledge of the game, answering any question from any
caliber player. He was truly a one of a kind: a polite, caring
man, a champion and a loyal friend."
Joe Kivel, of Newport Coast CA, played with Larsen for
three decades and was his partner on the winning U.S. squad
in the first Senior Bowl at the 35th World Team Championships
in Paris. The win made Larsen, who earned more than 14,000
masterpoints, a Grand Life Master. He had six second-place
finishes in North American championships, twice in the Baze
Senior Knockout Teams. "Chris was always a gentleman," said
Kivel, "and a devoted family man."
Roger Lee, a rising star in ACBL tournament play, said
he initially mistook Larsen for a "grumpy retiree" but quickly discovered that he was nothing like that. "I learned a
lot about bridge from Chris," Lee said, "but the thing that
struck me most was his table demeanor. He was careful and methodical, fully supportive of his partners and
always courteous to his opponents. Being able to play
with Chris was a rare pleasure I always looked forward to."
Larsen is survived by his beloved partner, Salle; sister, Kirsten;
children David, Carsten and Christian; stepchildren Gina and
Kenneth and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his wife, Kay Hall Larsen.

Two-time NABC champion
Roy Fox died May 18 from
respiratory distress caused
by ALS (also known as Lou
Gehrig's Disease). Fox, a Diamond Life Master from Murphy NC, was 67.
Fox's bridge career included
a first-place finish in the von
Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs
with Eugene O'Neill in 1975.
Playing with Paul Swanson,
Fox won the Cavendish Invitational Pairs in 1978 and the
Wernher Open Pairs in 1979.
In the Spingold final in 1987, Fox was a member of the runnerup team captained by Jim Mahaffey.
Born in Pittsburgh PA, Fox joined the U.S. Air Force in the
'60s serving as a Russian-language specialist. After discharge,
Fox returned to his boyhood home and, while waiting to begin
college, took a factory job and learned to play bridge during
lunch hours. After earning a math degree, Fox went on to many
careers, including law-office manager, computer-store owner,
professional bridge player and options trader. Fox's work took
him to many different cities, and he was a well-known bridge
player in Washington DC, Kansas City, Tampa, and Chicago.
At a 1987 regional in Myrtle Beach SC, Fox's team picked
up now-Bridge Bulletin columnist Jerry Helms to fill out their
roster. Looking back on that event, Helms said, "I had never
played professionally in my life, but there could not have been
a better person to indoctrinate me into what has become a
portion of my life as a professional bridge player. Roy's bridge
skills were obvious, but his ability to make me comfortable
made an impact that I have tried to remember when playing
with lesser experienced partners over the years. We won the
event, and I believe this single encounter helped launch the
career I am still pursuing today."
Fox struggled for many years with substance abuse, but
overcame all addictions - including cigarettes - a decade ago.
He was an empathetic volunteer with Narcotics Anonymous.
In recent years, Roy played only an occasional bridge tournament, With his wife, Susan Fredriksen, he built a home in the
North Carolina mountains, and it became his favorite place
to be. According to Susan, his last years before ALS were his
happiest. "The brightness and sparkle in his eyes that faded
here on earth from the ravages of disease now can be seen in
the stars," she said.
Fox is survived by his wife, Susan, of Murphy, his daughter,
Betty Lou Fox of Tampa, and several beloved dogs and cats.

68 Bridge Bulletin August 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2014