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Every now and then, you find someone with the talent and the tenacity to instruct others in the Game of Bridge. Phyllis Calisch did just that. We spent many evenings together studying the Basic Guidelines, making certain that they became habitual in our minds and second-nature in our hearts simply through repetition. When we came across bridge hands and the Basic Guidelines did not apply, she introduced us to the many Conventions, Treatments and Methods to handle these different hands.
There was so much to learn, and she helped us every step of the way. Every bridge player in the world started at one time to learn, and every bridge player knows the frustration that went along with learning. Very much depended on the teacher and instructor. We were lucky to have discovered her and have never regretted it. She nursed us and we rehearsed it, until we got it right. The one thing that always stayed with us was her advice that a little bit of wisdom can be dangerous, so our philosophy is: If you do not know it, do not play it.
Phyllis Dautell was born in Toledo, Ohio, to parents who were avid Bridge Players. It was during these formative years that she came to enjoy the game for its challenge and competition. After finishing High School, Phyllis attended the University of Toledo, but, as she confessed openly, she spent most of her time in the Student Union playing bridge with her partner, Merril Calisch. Phyllis and Merril later became husband and wife and together they bore two children, daughter Sandra and son Ruston.
She worked for Prudential Insurance Company as an Office Manager and then as a Special Agent in sales for a total of 24 years. Unfortunately, there was no time for playing bridge during those years. Phyllis devoted herself to family and career, and when the time came, she took an early retirement at age 59. At this age, she decided to pursue her favorite hobby, which is Contract Bridge.
At first, Phyllis played social, or party bridge, but this soon lost its appeal. She decided to begin playing Duplicate Bridge which challenged her abilities more, and after a 30-year absence, Phyllis rejoined ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) and started accumulating Master Points. As of 1998 she was a Life Master. She had reached her goal and the congratutions have not stopped. Her daughter Sandra has also achieved that goal, and her brother, Duke Dautell, became the youngest Life Master in Ohio. Her brother acted as mentor for his sister Phyllis, and he also taught bridge in Ohio and California for over 40 years. Her son, Ruston plays as a hobby, but he enjoyed the game so much that he founded the King of Clubs Bridge Club in High School.
It was not long before other bridge players began requesting Phyllis to instruct them on how to play, so she decided to accept and began instructing. Others heard of her decisive manner and capability to instruct, but they were total beginners or novices at most. She decided to do what she does best and began introducing the game of bridge to as many who wanted to learn. Over the years after her retirement, Phyllis has brought many new players to the bridge table.
Phyllis continued to enjoy the game, meeting new people, and introducing many to Duplicate Bridge. She also enjoyed the wonderful climate of Southern California. For many years she lived in Newport Beach by the ocean and invited friends over for bridge and food quite often. Her decision to relocate to Murietta disappointed many of her friends, but Phyllis had a granddaughter and two great grandchildren who are future prospects for bridge classes. And she wanted to be close to them. She is now gone from us, but her memory lives on.
Claus and Raymond
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