Norman Tobin

With great regret we have to announce that Norman Tobin died on 20th October 2012, after a long illness.

Norman was a long-time member of the British Go Association, starting in the 1970s, was Newsletter Editor in 1987-8, Honorary Secretary 1982-5 and President from 1985 to 1991. He was also a significant donor to the Association prior to his final illness.

His daughter writes "Playing Go was a big part of his life and I especially remember him going to Japan with the Go Association some years ago (Ed: the 1991 International Pairs Go Championship). As children we were taught to answer the phone and explain to visitors from Japan how to get to the Central London Go Club in Covent Garden, so that they could play while they were in England."

His funeral will be at 11:30am on Thursday 1st November at the Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip. Further details c/o Wright Funeral Services 01494 863101.

I represented the BGA at Norman's funeral at which Keith Rapley, a long time member of the BGA and a friend of Norman, gave a personal tribute.

Keith regularly played Go with Norman, even during his final illness with Alzheimer's disease.

Jon Diamond

Sad news.

Norman played me a couple of times at the London Go Centre in the 1970s. He was a light-hearted friendly opponent. He taught me the word "hornswoggle" at the end of a game which he lost.

John Green

Soon after I began playing in 1982 I joined the Central London Go Club and remember playing my first game at the club which was with Norman Tobin. I took seven stones and lost; what a strong player I thought, I then watched Norman take seven stones from Terry Stacey and Norman lost. Both are sadly no longer with us. I had far to go then and sorry to say almost as far to go now!

David Ward

Last updated Thu May 11 2017.
If you have any comments, please email the webmaster on web-master AT britgo DOT org.