Hello GRCC Community,
The beginning’s of the Grand Rapids Chess Center started in 2017 under a different name. During this time, some of our longest-attending members joined us and the seeds of this wonderful community began. Henry Rankin began attending these meetings back in 2017 on Plainfield and Spencer St.
In 2020-2021 we decided to become an LLC through a member-supported framework with more services and a commitment to long-term excellence in offering the chess community a place to play, learn, and enjoy community.
From our earliest beginnings, a gentleman named Larry Waite began attending and would become a member. In recent years since, we have missed Larry as he battled cancer. It was brought to my attention that he has passed away. Larry was a man of great character and was beloved by me and anyone else who knew him. He donated several of our nice digital clocks and chess sets. He was a kind and engaging representative of the chess center. It is with great sadness that we announce this loss.
Please keep your hearts and prayers with his family during this time.
His obituary can be viewed here: Larry W. Waite Obituary (1954 - 2024) - Grand Rapids, Michigan (michigancremation.com)
Please share a memory on that page if you can!