"Jeg er stolt over at kalde ham min ven". Sådan skriver en rystet Gustav Hansen i et rørende åbent brev på pokerforummet 2+2 til sin gambler-kollega Chip Reese. Reese døde i nat af en ondsindet lungebetændelse - kort tid efter Gustav talte i telefon med ham.
"Jeg vil savne den skrappe konkurrence, vores venskab og hans mange gode råd både ved og væk fra pokerbordene".
Her er Gustavs afskedsord:
Tribute to My Friend Chip Reese
December 4, 2007
With the utmost sadness and shock I learned this morning that my buddy Chip Reese is no longer among us. The world just got poorer today with the loss of Chip Reese.
Although it is almost impossible for me to understand, Chip died last night after a sudden case of pneumonia. What makes it even harder to sink in is the fact that I just talked to him last night around 7 PM.
Chip was not only a world class poker player, but also a world class individual and I am proud to call him my friend. Chip was the kind of gambler we should all strive to be.
Chip's experience, good spirit and integrity made him the best ambassador for the game and I am certain that the whole poker community will miss him greatly. I, for one, will miss the fierce competition, our friendship and his guidance off and on the poker table.
Chip was extremely gifted and very well respected in the poker world as well as in the business world. His list of achievements is endless with his 2006 WSOP HORSE win as the latest proof of his excellent
poker skills.
My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Chip's family to whom he was always devoted as a father and a father figure. Although it is little consolation, it is my hope that they know of the great legacy that Chip is leaving behind.
Gus