BM June 1968

The sudden death of Kenneth Konstam in Juan-les-Pins on May 21st leaves a gap in British bridge which it will be difficult if not impossible to fill.  ‘Connie’ was one of the world’s outstanding players and his record speaks for itself.  He represented Great Britain not only in World Championships in 1937, 1950, 1955, 1962 and 1965, and in the 1964 Olympiad, but also in twelve European Championships, which is a world record.  He was five times a member of a winning Gold Cup team, and has innumerable other successes to his credit, but as well as distinguishing himself at the table Connie made his mark as an administrator.  He served on the EBU Council, and was possibly the only person to be on the committees of both Crockford’s and the Hamilton at the same time.

Too young to have participated in the First World War, Connie joined the army in the second, and was posted to GHQ Cairo.  He finished after ‘D’ day as liaison officer to the French army, holding the rank of major. 

A good golfer, he used to play to scratch and once reached the last sixteen of the English Amateur Championship.

Many of his bridge successes were achieved in partnership with Leslie Dodds, who said, on learning of his death: “Connie was a fine player, but in particular he was a great partner.  Playing with Connie was like sailing on a smooth deep pool.  All you had to do was make the system bid and follow suit, and Connie did the rest.  Great Britain can ill afford to lose such a player.”

As we express our sympathy with his widow and son we know that his friends all over the world are sorrowing with them.