In Memory of... TED SCHROEDER

Frederick R. Schroeder said his final goodbyes today, fitting that he would pass away Memorial Day Weekend for he will surely be remembered. Ted served in the US Navy as an engineer on a destroyer and later as a Navy pilot during World War II.

Although Ted was unable to speak today he still was able to convey his thoughts. I told him I had to be in San Jose for the weekend to help administrate and play in a tournament. He lifted his eyebrows to remind me of the top 10 list I carry in my racquet bag that he wrote for me 3 years ago. #1 "Act like a champion, be a champion" #2 "Slow down and simplify" #3 anticipate where you have to be and be there before you need to be :) {this one always cracked me up} I will be thinking of his top 10 list throughout the weekend and I am sure beyond playing today applying to my life.

Ted's best friend, Jack Kramer, fondly called Big Jake, said Ted was the toughest guy he had to play against when he himself was at his best. Yes, Ted was tough. Pancho Gonzalez referred to Ted as his jinx. Pancho wrote, "Ted held some kind of psychological advantage over me. I was never able to understand it. He'd get me worried long before a match would start. Often, as we dressed in the locker room he'd approach me and the conversation would run something like this:

"Hello Pancho"

"Hello Ted"

"Good day for tennis"

"Yeah"

"You know, I'm going to beat you again Pancho"

Then he would stroll away, as nonchalant as ever. I'd stand there and burn - playing right into his hand. He was halfway home before we'd ever hit a ball" Yes, Ted was a strategist.

One article in the Los Angeles Times about the infamous 1949 match vs. Pancho Ted was quoted as saying he was "pooped out "- he later conceded that Pancho was really "the better player." Ted always told it as he saw it.

Ted was 84 years old. Ted is survived by his three sons, John of Encinitas, California, Richard of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Robert of Denver,Colorado and a sister Janet in Arizona. Ted spent his last days in his home and passed away in his sleep at 1:00 AM May 26, 2006.

Today, tell someone , "Good day for tennis" then act like a Champion and be a champion~

Goodbye Ted~