The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Thursday, April 20, 1989 - Page 5
Fischer's Chess Manager Dies
Mequon, Wis. (AP) — Fred Cramer, a former U.S. and international chess official and Bobby Fischer's manager in a famous 1972 match with Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, has died of cancer at his Mequon home. He was 76.
Cramer was president of the U.S. Chess Federation from 1960-63, when it grew from 2,000 members to 9,000. He later served as vice president of the International Chess Federation.
He was Fischer's manager during the seven-week world championship match with Spassky in 1972 at Reykjavik, Iceland. It was the first competition between an American and a Russian for the world title.
Cramer spent much of his time pursuing Fischer's many complaints about playing conditions.
“It was a high point because he had to serve as a diplomat between the high-strung Bobby Fischer and the proper, by-the-book Icelanders,” said Cody Engle, Cramer's nephew.
Fischer won.
Cramer, who died Tuesday, was survived by his wife, Ramona; daughter, Jennifer, of Mequon; sons, Fred Jr., Mequon, and Eri Caban, San Diego; and sister, Catherine C. Engle, Oro Valley, Ariz.
Services were scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Cecilia Church, Thiensville.