Mark Van Dyke (age 59)
The first eMaster, first Grand eMaster and
first Life eMaster has left us and is playing cribbage on a higher
level. Mark still holds the record for most
tournament wins on-line. Until his recent
illness, he held the record for most IRP's (he has since
been passed by
Mike
Fetchel). Mark had always competed both online and at tournaments here
in Michigan. We always made a point when meeting in person
to play best of 3 outside the tournament. Mark's play
was the same online as it was in person--very tough. He rarely
made a mistake until the cancer and treatment had taken a toll on him.
Mark had always been active in grassroots but golf came first (lol).
Although Mark had been the number one Internet player multiple times, he
attended the TOC in Reno once. More important than all of that, Mark
was a friend. We often would talk via Facebook chat and we always made a
point to play a game when we met in person. The first time we played in
person it was because Mark was number one and I was number two on-line.
He will be missed by so many.
John Schafer (netview85) Assistant Internet Comissioner