Low near 40F. He played basketball. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. 2021 (Eugene, Oregon, June 21) 1. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Bob Richards of the US team eases over the bar to set a new record for the Olympics pole vault. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Richards ran for president in 1984. Wacos Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals in pole vaulting, died Sunday at age 97, his son Brandon confirmed in a social media post. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . He also appeared on a Wheaties box. He was 97. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals for pole vaulting, died at 97 on Sunday. Richards is survived by two sons, Paul and Robert Jr., and a daughter, Carol Stasiewicz, from his first marriage; two sons, Thomas and Brandon, and a daughter, Tammy Richards LeSure, from his second; a brother, Kenny; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, UConn men roll over DePaul in home finale, Former UConn men's basketball coach Fred Shabel has died, Xavier No. The most dominant vaulter of his time, as he was ranked as the worlds No. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. A Facebook post . Then, for the next hour, the floor was his. He made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events: the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in the pole vault. His eyes shut tightly, his hands knifing through the air, he carries the salesmen to successive peaks of grim determination, Sports Illustrated noted. Until 2012, he had lived on a ranch in Santo, Texas, which he named the Crossbar Ranch and which was involved in numerous commercial activities, including oil and gas exploration and horse and cattle grazing. (The first was Cornelius Dutch Warmerdam. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange. ET. He was 97. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. Besides winning two gold medals in the Olympics in the 1950s, he took a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics in London and gold at the Pan American Games in 1951 and 1955. Former Wheaties Spokesman Said to Back Racist Party. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. Richards was the . Keep it Clean. He is an actor, known for Cavalcade of America (1952), ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961) and XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport (1948). 1 vaulter for eight consecutive years. [1952] Was the Gold Medalist in Pole Vault at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Georgia football star Jalen Carter, a top NFL Draft prospect, for his alleged involvement in a fatal January car crash, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said. Much has changed since Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vaulting champion, was Mr. Wheaties. How close is Florida's Trinity Thomas to the NCAA's perfect 10 record? INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Family, friends and pole vault community, I am heartbroken to say that my . Richards was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died The Rev. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Robert Eugene "Bob" Richards (born February 20, 1926), nicknamed the "Vaulting Vicar" or the "Pole Vaulting Parson" in his competitive days, was an American athlete who was known for pole vaulting in the Olympics.He competed in the 1948 (where he won a bronze medal), 1952 (gold medal), and 1956 Summer Olympics (gold medal) as a pole vaulter, and as a decathlete in 1956. Richards was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to the Waco area after his athletic career ended. The Rev. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON Mr. Richards is still the only Olympic pole vaulter to win two gold medals, but hes not the familys lone record holder. Thank you for reading! His father was a telephone lineman. . I was competing with a slippery pole.. Richards did it for schools in 2 statesas a junior in Texas, then as a senior in California) All in the family: 4 great pairs are represented here, topped by Mondo and his father Greg, who ranked twice, including a No. He is Bart Starr on third down., Mr. Richards told them, I want to set you on fire; I want to get you to go, to act. And: Youve got to go through that line, youve got to figure out ways to beat the opposition. [1] He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only . I cant do anything. He added that his father "always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. Robert Eugene 'Bob' Richards nicknamed the Vaulting Vicar or the Pole Vaulting Parson in his competitive days was a versatile athlete who made three US Olympic Teams in two events. But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet more than 125 times. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. 1 pole vaulter. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. With the ministers help, Mr. Richards enrolled at Bridgewater College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Virginia, where he dominated collegiate pole vaulting. His athletic success was celebrated on the cover of Wheaties cereal boxes for 13 years after he became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box in 1958. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). [1955] When I came down, I went running down the straightaway, and the Russians were running to me, saying, Boo-tiful! He had been a pastor in California only briefly, but the dual image of minister and champion athlete was irresistible on the speaking circuit. Robert Eugene Bob Richards (born February 20, 1926) is an American athlete who made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. "I saw it more as a mission than a job," says Richards, who was the General Mills cereal's . Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. The year 1951 also saw Richards become just the second man in history to clear the 15-foot mark in the pole vault, which he accomplished at the Millrose Games, and subsequently . His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. He retired to a ranch in Waco, where he owned a golf course. He taught sociology at the University of Illinois in the late 1940s and later was a member of the faculty of La Verne College (California; now University of La Verne) as well as holding pulpits in the Church of the Brethren. His son, Brandon, w In 1946, he was ordained and transferred to the University of Illinois. Waco police investigate overnight shooting in North Waco, Olympic memories: Waco area not short of gold-medal talent, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. In addition to the gold medals he won at the 1952 Olympics in Finland and the 1956 Games in Australia, Mr. Richards won 17 national pole vault championships and was ranked No. from Illinois. INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and several other top pass rushers say they model their games after today's NFL stars. He is the only two-time male Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault, and also won gold medals at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games, while earning silver in the decathlon at the 55 Pan American Games. There was a time when former Olympic athlete Bob Richards seemed the personification of the all-American man: A two-time gold medal winner in the pole vault, he was the first jock to appear on the front of boxes of Wheaties "the breakfast of champions . Richards served as a spokesman for General Mills from 1956 to 70. Richards continues to reside on his ranch near Waco, Texas. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Boo-tiful! This big Russian picked me up and gave me a hug, and that photo was seen all over the world.. Bob Richards, byname of Robert Eugene Richards, (born February 20, 1926, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.died February 26, 2023, Waco, Texas), American athlete, the first pole-vaulter to win two Olympic gold medals. Baylor freshman Riley Richards' pole-vault lineage can be traced all the way back to the 1940s. Larry Keller. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . He transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 1947, the same year he tied for first in pole vaulting at the NCAA championships. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Bob Richards. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. July 15, 2010. London 1948, bronze (pole vault) Helsinki 1952, gold (pole vault) Melbourne 1956, gold (pole vault) . 1 in final CT wrestling poll for second straight year, 2023 NHC Boys Hockey Tournament Schedule / Scoreboard, Girls ice hockey top performances from conference tournaments, GameTimeCT Top 10 Girls Basketball Poll (March 1), CIAC boys basketball tournament scoreboard and schedule, UConn men kick off March with last home game of season vs. DePaul, CT native named Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator, Latest GameTimeCT Top 10 Boys Hockey Poll, son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father, release he held the ranking as the No. Although he broke Olympic records and Russian hearts, and he became one of Americas most lionized and familiar celebrities a motivational speaker and Wheaties pitchman who personified wholesome values and once ran for president of the United States on a third party ticketRichards, even at the peak of his athletic power, was not the greatest American pole-vaulter of all time. In 1957, he played himself in Leap to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Cavalcade Theatre in a dramatization of his life. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . In between pole vaulting competitions, he taught at LaVerne College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Southern California. American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. He became an ordained minister and preached at churches and gatherings all over the world, earning the monikers the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor. Richards became a popular and prolific public speaker who gave more than 25,000 speeches to businesses and organizations worldwide, Brandon said. Please use the button below to manage your account. He started at quarterback for his high school football team. Eighteen salesmen received awards. 0. In 1970 he married Vonda Joan Beaird, an actress. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. During his travels, Mr. Richards became frustrated that the American Dream was slipping away for farmers and blue-collar workers struggling to buy homes and hold steady jobs. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. 1 pick, Rep. Niemerg Office helps with Professional Licensing Applications and Renewals, Abbott Elementary: Chris Perfetti on Jacobs Mural Meltdown & Big SAG Awards Win, Bust-up! By then, Mr. Richards was hopscotching around the country delivering what would add up to more than 25,000 motivational speeches at sales conferences, awards dinners and corporate retreats. She died in 2019. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. He continued participating in track and field events as he aged, joining the World Masters Games in quadrennial competitions popular with retired professional athletes and former Olympic competitors. Pole vault. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. With the help of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never dreamed of. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. 1 pick, commit to quarterback Justin Fields. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. With none of the nine candidates running for Chicago mayor achieving more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, the election moves to a runoff. They remain pole vault gold for all that take the time to listen to his stories. February 28, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. EST. Joe Dial ('81) and nephew Bruce Dial ('93) both ranked No. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Bob Richards, byname of Robert Eugene Richards, (born February 20, 1926, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.died February 26, 2023, Waco, Texas), American athlete, the first pole-vaulter to win two Olympic gold medals. Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the Crossbar Ranch. The most colorful pole-vaulter . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. Hall Of Fame Member. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. 1 eight times in an era when pole vaulting and other Olympic track-and-field events were chronicled on the front page of sports sections. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. Richards also competed as a decathlete . Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 - February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. He was the second person ever to pole vault over 15 feet (4.6 metres), a feat he accomplished in 1947. Staff report. Richards passed at the age of 97 "peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by loved ones" according to his son Brandon's social media post.. They had never tried. He was a three-time Olympic pole vaulter for the U.S. in 1948, 1952 and 1956, winning Gold in 52 and 56 after winning a Bronze medal in 48. 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