Susan Kantor, a Friendly Face at Chess Control, has Died

 

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Susan Kantor
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Susan Kantor at the 2016 National Elementary Championship

Susan Kantor, who just recently retired from US Chess on July 21, has died from complications associated with cancer, US Chess has learned. Executive Director Carol Meyer said, "I am sorry for all on our team who lost a dear friend today. We extend our sympathies to her family and friends." Susan's husband Alan Kantor was also an employee of US Chess until recently.

Susan had been a dedicated employee for 15 years since she was hired in 2005 as an Accounting Associate. When she retired her title was Scholastic Associate and Clubs, FIDE Associate, and OTB Ratings Associate, a position in which she interacted daily with a wide swath of our membership and community. At many of our national events, Susan was a friendly face at Chess Control making sure everything was running smoothly and solving problems when things occasionally went awry. She watched her two sons grow up playing chess and once stated that she “loves the fact that most chess players always seem to want to help other players who have an interest in getting better.”

In our retirement announcement last month, her supervisor Director of Events Boyd Reed stated, “Susan’s imprint is, literally and figuratively, on every aspect of our national events operation.  She has also been a very important contributor to the design of our new membership database, and a vital linchpin for directors, organizers, and scholastic affiliates across the country.  It has been my unqualified privilege to call her a colleague. It is my continued privilege to call her a friend.”

Visitation for Susan Kantor will be at Bilbrey Funeral Home, 76 East Adams St, Crossville, TN, Saturday, August 8, 2020 from 6 – 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, make charitable donations to FOCCAS Animal Safety, PO Box 3245, Crossville, TN 38557 or American Cancer Society.

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Susan Kantor
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Susan Kantor working Chess Control at the 2019 National Junior High Championship.

Comments

Susan was always a great pleasure to work with. I always considered her to be the most valuable employee of US Chess. She was so helpful and always diligent.

I’ll miss you Susan! Love to Susan and her family from Charlotte, NC

My deepest sympathies. May your memories of her love of you and of life help you during your time of mourning.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Susan! She always had a huge smile on her face every time I saw her. She was such a positive person! She will be missed a lot! May her memory be a blessing.

Somewhere is heaven, Harry Sabine is running a tournament and Susan is running the computer for him again. Tennessee Chess will miss her greatly.

My sincere condolences to her children and he husband Alen. God rest her in peace, she will be missed by never forgotten!

Dear Susan,
The world is depleted by your absence. Your kindness, caring, and subtle sense of humor will always be remembered. Our tears fall while heaven smiles. Love you, girl...running a tournament without your help? Please give God a nudge... Love Rachel

I am sudden to hear the news about the passing of Susan Kantor. She is a very helpful employee of the USCF . For sure we will all miss her, condolence to her family !!!

Very sad to hear of Susan's passing. She was a kind and familiar figure over the years. Many condolences from the Chasin family to hers.

We will all miss Susan. She was always a strong and positive member of the USCF team. I enjoyed working with her as a organizer and TD.

Thank You, Susan, for all your tireless work, your passion for helping others and your dedication to your many jobs.

I will miss you very much.

Rest In Peace, my friend.

I wish to extend condolences from me and the Middletown Chess Club in Orange County, NY where the Kantors long resided.

Susan will be missed and the USCF will never be the same. Susan was super dependable and helpful and each every year I have lost count to the number of times she helped students from the Chess in the Schools program.

Thank you all for the many comments about Susan. She cared about the customers and bent over backwards to help everyone. Whether it was in Chess Control or on the phone it was important to keep people happy and satisfied. It makes me feel good to know wherever I go people ask about Susan and when I would tell her that she would just blow it off and say, "I am just doing my job." Modesty? I miss you and love you, Susan and so do your fans.

Susan, was tremendously helpful, kind and upbeat in my deals with her over the past 10 years.

She will be dearly missed. 

Russ Makofsky

Director - Impact Coaching Network

New York, NY

Sadly missed, you were so sweet to play my son, Griffy, when he had no other players, always in our memories

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