The Evolution of a Bridge Player
Pat Lewis
This month we learn about the bridge journey of Ralph and Martha Chatoian.
It truly was one journey that they made together, as they have been
married for 51 years.
Ralph met Martha on the last day of her one semester at Junior College in
Sacramento. His best friend was going with her friend, so they fell into a
dating pattern of house parties that summer. Then Martha went off to Cal,
and Ralph having completed Junior College went off to San Jose State. Each
summer over the next few years, they continued in a comfortable dating
pattern.
After college graduation, they planned an April wedding. But just days before
the big day, Martha and her mother were in a terrible car accident which left
her hospitalized and in arm traction. Ralph rushed to the hospital and
Martha’s doctor said, “So, you’re the groom? You better get yourself another
chickie!”. Not wanting to do that, the wedding was postponed until August.
And that’s where bridge helped pass the healing time. Martha had played
with sorority sisters, so she taught Ralph the game. They continued to play
bridge after having their children Rick and Darcy. They even played some
duplicate bridge in San Rafael, transferring some old points to SCLH when
they joined duplicate again. Meanwhile, it was social bridge at couple’s
houses while raising kids. Ralph says, “We played a lot of bad bridge, but
had fun doing it.
They lived in Marin County for 41 years while Ralph worked for the
newspaper, the Marin Independent. He wrote a sports column for most of
those years. Martha finished her credential and started teaching after the
children were in school. She found that Kindergarten was her favorite,
probably because of the art involved. Martha is a painter and continues to
work on this hobby. After moving to Lincoln they got serious about bridge.
Jay and Mona Stryker introduce them to the duplicate club here and helped
them learn the new Standard American bidding. Always enjoying their game,
they bring smiles to others. Once, as Martha laid down her hand, Ralph
remarked that she didn’t have enough points to use Stayman. She quipped,
“This is Sun City, Mr. Stayman goes out at seven.”
They have met a whole circle of friends through bridge. They also share
travel, RV camping, and hobbies with some. Ralph plays in a band called
“Box-o-Rox” with Jay Stryker on guitar and Vic Albertazzi on accordian.
Ralph plays bongos, washboard, and various percussion instruments. Ask
him about his clickers.
You can ask them about travels to Italy, Greece, Armenia, and Alaska. They
also travel to Hawaii each Spring because they love to swim. They are often
seen swimming laps at the fitness center. It is their favorite form of
exercise, besides playing East/West. So greet this happy couple when next
they come to your table.