Evan Sachs - 1932 - 2019

The St. Paul community lost a treasure this week. So did Minneapolis and its members.

 

 

Evan Sachs, excellent and long standing member of our bridge community, passed away Sunday.  Great as Evan was as a competitor, he was an even more superb friend and contributor to our bridge world. 

Steve Gaynor has kindly shared with us his personal experiences with Evan, along with his many gifts to our bridge world. I, too have some thoughts to share about the man who always had a smile on his face and loved both bridge and our members so deeply.

 

I am sorry to report that Evan Sachs passed away last night.  He was at peace but missed his wife, Eleanor, who passed away seven months ago, just at the end of their first 64 year adjustment to marriage period.

 

He made great friends all over the area as during his early years in MN.  Evan was in product sales and had a territory that included Des Moines and Omaha.  Naturally he stopped at bridge clubs there to play.  

 

He described a bridge hand as a blank canvas, waiting to be drawn upon.  Sometimes it became like a Rembrandt, other times like your 2nd grade grand kids first effort - but still both worthy of study by posting on the wall of your den or on the door of your refrigerator.

 

One of his favorite hands occurred in a team game playing against the Mike Passell team. Evan may have set a record during one competitive auction when he bid 4N as Blackwood, partner responded 5D, the first time they had bid that suit. He recalled the look on his partner, Bill Erickson's face when he passed, but then tabled his 9 bagger!  The contract made, helping them beat the team of pros. I asked Even what would have happened if Bill had responded differently and he said since he didn't, there was no need to speculate.

 

In the mid-80's I was between jobs for about two months so when the duty of reading the want ads and grinding out resumes, I went down to the club to play.  Even though I only had about 100 MP's or so, Evan, an experienced Life Master, gladly gave me some games.  We played several times a year up to June of this year. 

 

Evan considered the bridge world his second family and loved us accordingly.  I know I will miss him like a the brother he was to me.  

 

Steve Gaynor

 

 

 

I thank Steve for sharing his personal stories with Evan. And now - a few of mine.

 

15 years ago, Evan and some other players began to work hard to get bridge into the schools. It is a very tough goal in Minnesota, particularly back then. Yet Evan was determined and managed to have some classes arranged!

 

Of course, I was happy to photograph these great events, and am sharing a few of our long time ago memories of Evan's giving and skills with the kids back then.

 

I am also delighted that Evan was able to compete and share his fabulous and positive views on life and bridge with us for so many years.  Evan was a huge and wonderful influence on our community.  

My last visit with Evan was during the memorial for another star Minnesota bridge player, Jack Rhatigan.  Evan was moving more slowly; friends helped him with his walker.  And Evan shared with me how difficult it was no longer having his life partner, Eleanor, by his side.

 

I am certain that Evan will now be reunited with the love of his life - and that we can all cherish our decades of friendship with a most special man - Evan Sachs.

 

        Peg Kaplan

 

 

 

 

Evan Sachs Age 87, of Edina, formerly of Golden Valley and St. Louis Park, passed away peacefully at home on November 24. Preceded in death by Eleanor, his beloved wife of 63 years. Survived by children Edward (Connie), Karen (David Stephenson), and Andrea (Drew Forsberg), and by grandchildren Emily, Laura, Brian, Derek, and Nathan.

Evan was loved by many for his warmth, generosity, and kindness. His big heart and devotion to family and friends brought joy and comfort to all of us. An avid fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, poetry, history, and Jeopardy, Evan shared an especially close bond with his contract bridge friends. Private family ceremony at this time, with a celebration of life during the new year.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to donate to the ACBL Education Foundation or the charity of their choice.