Charlottesville Progress - The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
Saturday, February 5, 2011 - The Daily Progress - Obituary  Newspaper Link

Richard Stephen Callaghan Jr.

Richard Stephen Callaghan Jr. died on Friday, January 28, 2011, (Age 85 + 6 momths) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with his wife and two daughters by his side.

He was born on July 31, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Richard S. Callaghan Sr. and Betsy Smith Callaghan.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Callaghan; his two daughters, Susan C. Beaty and her husband, Scott, of Reston, Virginia, Jennifer C. Story and her husband, Danny, of Stanardsville, Virginia; three grandchildren whom he cherished greatly, Samantha C. Ulrope, Betsy K. Ulrope, and Ryan C. Ferguson; one great-granddaughter, Savannah Leigh Lam; brothers, David S. Callaghan and his wife, Gerry, Robert M. Callaghan and his wife, Elaine; one sister, Betsy Kingsbury and her husband, Mike, all of Charlottesville, Virginia; nine nieces and nephews and their families and numerous cousins; mother and father-in-law, Daryl and Jean Warren; sister-in-law, Margaret Kirk and her family; and his very best pal, Wiswell, the cat.

Rick grew up in Garden City, New York, with wonderful memories and stores of his childhood. He graduated from the University of Virginia receiving his undergraduate and law degrees. He practiced on Wall Street before deciding to raise his family in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He made partner for the law firm of Taylor, Michie and Callaghan as well as having his own private practice with his wife working by his side.

He served as an assistant lecturer at the University Law School. He was president of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society, President of the Janie Porter Barrette Day Care Nursery, and director of the local chapters of the Red Cross and the American Cancer Society. He was appointed to the electoral board for the Republican Party as well as holding office in numerous charities and organizations.

Rick was an international chess master as well as qualified Olympic chess player. He also had the passion for the game of checkers and was recognized for being a champion.

He retired from Law at the age of 62 and spent his time tutoring chess to many children and adults. His love and passion for the game touched many lives.

He moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with his wife, Mary Lynn, in 2000, where they enjoyed the West and many adventures. He continued playing in chess tournaments up until his untimely death.

We are honored to have had him be part of all of our lives. We will sorely miss him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rick's honor to Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, 400 Mercer Street, Suite 504, Seattle, WA 98109-4641.

A celebration of life in Charlottesville, Virginia, will be announced at a later date.

Published in the Daily Progress from February 5 to February 6, 2011

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Rick was a chess master and the past presidents of the Virginia Chess Federation, who only played chess back in the 60-70's when he lived in Charlottesville, VA. He later took up checkers in addition to chess in the mid 70's and enjoyed playing tournament checkers. Les Balderson gets a lot of credit for recruiting, inviting players to join ACF and Old Dominion Checker Association, and play in tournaments.  Rick took an interest in checker and become a life-time member of ACF and Old Dominion Checker Association.  NCCA website has Rich playing NC State Opens, Southeasterns, and many Nationals from 1976 through 2005.  Rick played in the 1976 3-Move National held in Sanford, NC.  Rick won the minors in 1981 Southern States and Majors in 1983. He tied Raleigh Johnson as Majors Co-Champions in the 1997 NC State Open. Rick won the GAYP Minors Championship at the 2001 Nationals. He played every National from 2001 through 2005.  He retired and moved to Idaho in 2000 as noted in his obituary. Parkinson's disease made it difficult for Rick to play checkers on the internet in the last few years of his live. I understand his good friend Wayne Gober acquired his checker library.

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