Warren was the "Member of the Year" at the Berkeley Tennis Club twice. For the President's Message in the May, 2012, BTC Newsletter, I wrote this about Warren, with his approval:
The canteen area has round, wooden tables, chairs, a lifetime supply of pain-killers, a blackboard, assorted trash receptacles, two sofas, a low table with issues of mostly sports magazines dating back to the era of Ty Cobb--and Warren.
Sidelined by kidney problems, Warren Daane is rarely on the courts any more. He was a really good tennis player, a doubles genius. He won the national 15 doubles with Clark Graebner and had one of the best forehands ever at the BTC--a God's gift forehand--actually, no--better than that--an Erika Smithean forehand.
Gene Cantin, who took all the canteen pictures of tennis players, tells of being the pro in a pro-am here, years ago. His assigned partner was Warren. Gene did not know Warren. Warren shuffled on court in his sweater with a hole in the elbow and so many food stains down the front that soaking it in hot water would have produced a hearty soup. Gene was not impressed, even when Warren edged up to him and said, “I really can play.”
The match began with the opposing pro, armed with one of the biggest serves in NorCal, serving to Warren. Gene, at the service line, in the ready position, eyes forward (of course), hears what sounds like an explosive device set off back over his right shoulder. It was Warren’s forehand.
Game on.
I played some league doubles with Warren. We would be having a normal point, and, suddenly, Warren would be standing at the net strap with a little grin on his face, hitting a high, forehand, inside-out, dink, angle, volley winner, while our opponents looked as though they had just witnessed the first earth landing of an alien.
Warren loves the BTC. He wants everything done well. He wants it to be a world class facility. He puts his money where his heart is. Geoff and I totaled up more than $40,000 Warren has donated to the Girl’s 18s, the flagpole, and assorted other events. No one else is close (although there have been some generous bequeathments).
Warren is a numbers guy. He likes numbers—actually, no—he’s obsessed with numbers. Ask Warren about BTC finances; be seated in a comfortable chair when you do.
Warren has a well-deserved reputation as a bit of a curmudgeon, partly the result of his habit of speaking sentences that have an implied opening phrase of “You idiot,” and partly because, when you are conversing with him, you may notice that he is cross-examining you.
I always talk to Warren when I have time. I always get a different perspective when I do. I learn things. I encourage each of you to try it. It will be a lot more interesting than reading about the kind of year Walt Dropo, who died recently, is having at first base for the White Sox.