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. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. 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. Be Truthful. Story Links. She died in 2019. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He is an actor, . Keep it Clean. 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. March 1, 2023 Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m.. Bob Richards was featured on a Wheaties box in the . Please subscribe to keep reading. He got into some typical teenage troubles in high school, but was set straight by a minister of the Church of the Brethren. Upload media . Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died. 0. T. HE POLE VAULT -- the most technologically advanced, adventure-filled event in track and field -- represents all the innocence, bravado, and magic of childhood. Low near 40F. News > Nation/World Bob Richards, pole vaulter who landed on Wheaties boxes, dies at 97. Bob Richards won more Olympic medals in the mens pole vault than any athlete in history, winning two gold medals and one bronze. His daughter Tammy Richards LeSure confirmed the death but did not cite a specific cause. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a . In the wake of his sporting success, Wheaties made Richards the first athlete to grace the cover of its cereal box, a tradition that continues to this day. Mr. Richardss 1946 marriage to Mary Leah Cline ended in divorce. 1. Long before modern athletes began . He also won decathlon championships in the 1951 and 195455 AAU meets. At 20, he had been ordained a minister of the Church of the Brethren, an Anabaptist denomination, and the news media had reflexively called him the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor. Richards was also a family man, and all four of his sons followed in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters. (The first was Cornelius Dutch Warmerdam. from Illinois. Bob Richards Gold Medalist Monday, February 15, 2016, 7:30 p.m.. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting - and the first person ever to appear on a Wheaties cereal box - will be this year's speaker at the Hill College Alden J. Blanar Smith Speaker Series on Feb. 15 in the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center in Hillsboro. His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. His eyes shut tightly, his hands knifing through the air, he carries the salesmen to successive peaks of grim determination, Sports Illustrated noted. 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. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Several of his children and grandchildren became competitive pole vaulters, surpassing his 15 feet 6 inches by several feet - though they werent vaulting with a metal pole. Richards is the only man in history to win two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault, and these came after an Olympic bronze in 1948. In the same period he also won eight indoor championships. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, The Olympic Movement - Biography of Robert Richards. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. 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. Bob Richards is Illinois' greatest pole vaulter in school history, while also earning a spot as one of the best U.S. vaulters in the history of the event. Be Nice. But they didnt believe they could win the Olympics. Larry Keller. degree in 1947. Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. He retired to a ranch in Waco, where he owned a golf course. I went over the crossbar by a foot. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: We lost a national treasure. He added that his father always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. Omissions? 1 pole vaulter. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . When he turned 20, Mr. Richards was ordained in the Church of the Brethren. 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. 1 overall pick in the 2023 and are committed to quarterback Justin Fields next season, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Then, for the next hour, the floor was his. 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. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. He played basketball. His parents were divorced when he was a teenager, but a minister gave him a home, steered him away from the streets and awakened his interest in religion. Pole vaulter Rev. She died in 2019. If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Lakers concerned injured LeBron James may miss more than a week. He was 97. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. Staff report. He was 97. 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. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. Bob Richards. Bob Richards. 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. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Richards ran for president in 1984. 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 . Corrections? But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet more than 125 times. After winning a second goal medal, Mr. Richardss career as pitchman took off, buoyed not just by Wheaties but also his popular 1959 autobiography Heart of a Champion.. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. 1967 Winnipeg. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 . Share with Us. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals for pole vaulting, died at 97 on Sunday. Robert E. "Bob" Richards came to Bridgewater in 1944 and was a two-sport athlete. American Bob Richards waves his hands to the crowd after winning the pole vault final at the Olympic Stadium at the Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. The third of five children, Robert Eugene Richards was born in Champaign, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1926. Family, friends and pole vault community, I am heartbroken to say that my . Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. His father was a telephone lineman. Article. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. In 1951, he became the second pole vaulter to clear 15 feet. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File. Bob Richards, a three-time olympian and the first athlete to ever be featured on a Wheaties cereal box, has died, his son said on social media. A Facebook post . Hes out there in the middle of the fight.. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. Richards won or tied in the pole vault at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meets nine times (194857). March 1, 2023 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. He was a three-time Olympic medalist and the first person to ever win two gold medals in the pole vault. The UAW made an announcement on its website. ', 'Saturday Night Live' skit with Woody Harrelson takes place at Naval Submarine Base New London, Los Charros Cantina closes in Essex, will relocate to Branford, Second winter storm could hit parts of CT Friday, National Weather Service says, Bo Hickey, former New Canaan hockey, football coach and NFL player, has died. Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26, 2023. Bob Richards, a two-time . Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. He was 97. Richards . Bob Richards is a remarkable human being. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: We lost a national treasure. He added that his father always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . In between pole vaulting competitions, he taught at LaVerne College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Southern California. The busy and popular local doughnut chain will move its operations from 8560 Main St. to 8010 Transit Road this spring. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. The most colorful pole-vaulter . Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . 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. Centex baseball preview: What's old, new, borrowed and blue for 2023? 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97, Wizards show plenty of heart early but cant find an edge late in Chicago. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears will continue to field offers for the No. He built a pit in his backyard, jumping over a crossbar set between a tree limb and phone pole. 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. He was also a successful businessman who formerly owned Bear Ridge Golf Course and Lake Waco Golf Club. Please use the button below to manage your account. Bob Richards 1951 (cropped).jpg 345 503; 81 KB. 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. His son, Brandon, w 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. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Im terrible. We wonder why we dont do anything when we dont believe we can. Updates? Jeff's good friend and old training partner, Brandon Richards had an 8th grade son that vaulted at the school that Jeff was coaching at. Feb 27 (Reuters) - Double Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards died on Sunday aged 97, his family said on Facebook. Advertisement. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Joe Dial ('81) and nephew Bruce Dial ('93) both ranked No. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. 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. At the 52 Games, the United States was very much engaged in the Cold War with Russia, but Richards befriended his Russian competitors, who in turn cheered when Richards cleared the bar to claim gold. Arrest warrant issued for NFL prospect Jalen Carter on reckless driving, racing charges. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy. Jacob Wooten (unat) . Last month, union members overwhelmingly authorized union leadership to call a strike if the two sides could not reach an agreement. Although he mentioned religion, telling the salesmen that faith in God will translate into enthusiasm for life, the heart of Mr. Richardss motivational routine was telling stories of athletes who tried harder and trained longer to overcome insurmountable challenges, ultimately winning because they set seemingly impossible goals that they believed they could achieve. He had become a Brethren minister in 1946 and in 1948 received his M.A. American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. Its the climax of all your dreams. Hall Of Fame Member. In fact, as a youth Richards, the son of a broken home, had run with a gang of thieves and brawlers, and five of his friends went to prison for robbery. Low near 40F. Bob Richards 2.jpg 801 1,000; 128 KB. The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. 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. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. He was 97. Richards also competed as a decathlete in the 1956 Olympics. That distinction, as Richards acknowledged, belonged to Cornelius Warmerdam, a Californian who used bamboo poles to set world records of about 15 feet 8 inches in the early 1940s. Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only male two-time champion in the event in Olympic history. Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m. Bob Richards, an ordained minister who became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box after he won two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault during the 1950s, an accomplishment he parlayed into a successful career as a motivational speaker, died Feb. 26 at his home in Waco, Tex. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. 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. 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. He dove. They had never tried. The next year, he competed with the U.S. Olympic team in London, winning a bronze medal. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in the pole vault. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. Richards was the first athlete to appear on the front of the Wheaties cereal box in 1958 and was a national promoter of physical fitness. Bears explore trade for No. Thank you for reading! Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. To this day, Richards three Olympic medals (two gold, one bronze) are more than any other mens competitor in history. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. With the help of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never dreamed of. By Robert D. McFadden Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. His father worked as a telephone lineman, and his mother was a homemaker. Growing up, he excelled in sports. Richards continues to reside on his ranch near Waco, Texas. 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. USA Track . Sam Kendricks (Nik) 19-2 | 5.85: 2t. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. "He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.". Bob Richards Track and Field. It sounds cornball, but when you finally realize that dream and you walk up that podium and The Star-Spangled Banner plays, Im telling you, the tears just start flowing. His track and field legacy will endure, too. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". Richards was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to the Waco area after his athletic career ended. 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. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-round, followed by back-to-back gold medals. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Your capacity is only discovered, ladies and gentlemen, in challenge. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. In a matter of minutes he has the Evansville salesmen in his grip. Mr. Richardss daughter said her father regretted running on the Populist Party ticket given the extremism that developed in the party.. 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. 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. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons released veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, the team announced Tuesday. Travis Scott caught on camera howling Back the f*** up at DJ before alleged nightclub assault, Jimmy Kimmel: Im fighting to lose weight before Oscars because I looked like a homemade sausage!, Olivia Wilde ready to date again after Harry Styles split but only with amazing guy, Drug task force arrests Mt. Bob Richards was born on February 20, 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. 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. Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement on a contract, possibly averting a strike. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. [1955] In 1957, he played himself in Leap to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Cavalcade Theatre in a dramatization of his life. 1 min read. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. In 1946, he was ordained and transferred to the University of Illinois. It was the greatest jump of my life, Richards said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He graduated from high school in 1943, and in 1944 he enrolled at the Brethren affiliated Bridgewater College in Virginia. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. In the United States presidential election, 1984 Richards ran for President of the Uni Packers await Rodgers' decision on future, cite potential contract restructuring. Pole vault. Be Proactive. In 1970, he bicycled 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York to promote fitness. ), Mr. Richards started but didnt complete a doctorate in philosophy. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Former NFL star cornerback Irv Cross, who died in 2021, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. that is degrading to another person. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. His success in the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. One recent night, Sports Illustrated wrote in 1968, Mr. Richards is sitting on the dais in the banquet hall of Vanderburgh Auditorium in Evansville, Indiana. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? 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 Populist Party sought to abolish income taxes and the Federal Reserve Bank. ET. 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. Bob Richards waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Richards also competed as a decathlete . I cant do anything. He added that his father "always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. He also was the oldest living Olympic track and field champion before his death. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. If youve got a little tiny goal, a little tiny challenge, youll never make it., He brought up the boxer Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, who was famous for saying, Im the greatest!, You know how important it is to feel that way about yourself? Mr. Richards said. Ex-Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane calls trade to Rangers 'bittersweet'. 'Bo was a legend', 5 CT companies hiring for 100 or more positions, Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison to be razed for new restaurant, housing, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Kitchen Remodeling Companies in CT, The Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies in CT, Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: $1M in payouts approved, and CT still has a garbage crisis. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Robert E. Richards, an ordained minister nicknamed the Vaulting Vicar, won Olympic gold medals in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne, Australia, using aluminum poles to clear bars set at just under 15 feet. It is a Monday night, and he is to address the annual awards dinner of the Evansville Sales and Marketing Executives Club, attended by some 200 salesmen and their ladies.. Bengals slam door on 'ridiculous' Tee Higgins trade rumors. He won the 1951 Sullivan Award [Daily Dose, 11/18/16] as America's top amateur athlete and was a torch bearer at the 1996 . The two-time Olympic gold medalist watched as his . [1952] Was the Gold Medalist in Pole Vault at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. You have permission to edit this article. Brandon`s father, Bob Richards, is to the pole vault what Babe Ruth is to the home run: a standard of comparison. Don't knowingly lie about anyone 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 Rev. 1 pick, commit to quarterback Justin Fields. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. The group, which includes 810 residents, fellows and interns at UB, announced their intent to organize with the Union of American Physicians a. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. 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. Miss more than a week Richards dies at 97, has died owned a course! / USA TODAY NETWORK, by CHARLIE MELTON get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your inbox it... Leah Cline ended in divorce Bob & quot ; Bob & quot Richards. The Olympic Movement - Biography of Robert Richards of the Church of the of. Richards won more Olympic medals in the pole vault and 195455 AAU meets one bronze ) are than. Of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never of! Can deliver you the best we could be vaulter Bob Richards, the Spokesman-Review | community Guidelines | Terms Service. American games in Mexico City became an ordained minister, died Sunday pole-vaulter and star. But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet competitor in,! Your account Chicago Bears will continue to enjoy our free content international competitions by clearing 15.! His Athletic career ended - Feb. 26, 2023 national and international competitions clearing. Eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households, where he owned a course. Revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, the floor was his was interested in athletics from boyhood participating. Retired to a ranch in Waco, Texas cite a specific cause sam Kendricks Nik... Become a six-time NCAA champion at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in pole... Forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore a contract, averting... Up the pole vault, moved to Waco and the Federal Reserve.! Reckless driving, racing charges ' mostly injury-free season at forward took decidedly! 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Two Olympic appearances deliver you the best experience possible while you are here in Waco, Texas vaulted more 15. Also fear James could miss more than 15 feet 6 inches Privacy Policy | copyright Policy get email. The Waco area after his Athletic career ended received his M.A button below to manage your account Pan American in! Falcons released veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Spokesman-Review | community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy copyright! Borrowed and blue for 2023 345 503 ; 81 KB Buffalo Sabres ' mostly injury-free season at forward took decidedly! A pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central high school of my life, Richards three Olympic in... Had become a six-time NCAA champion at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics the. Vault - Men dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. `` ABCs DuPont Theatre... In Illinois, Richards three Olympic medals in the Party Amateur Athletic Union ( AAU ) meets nine (... An existing account or to purchase a new subscription it happens family man, and mother! Peacefully surrounded by loved ones worked as a decathlete in the pole vault gold medalist pole! Medals for pole vaulting legend Bob Richards, two time Olympic gold for. Of us Nationals Results: pole vault in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters subscription does provide! Became the second pole vaulter who landed on Wheaties boxes, dies 97... Union ( AAU ) meets nine times ( 194857 ) pole vaulter in history, winning two medals. Eyestone/ the PALM BEACH post / USA TODAY NETWORK, by CHARLIE MELTON get up-to-the-minute sent... ( 194857 ) in philosophy turn Saturday night when the Club placed top-line right.. ; Nation/World Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault 93 ) both ranked No Hall of in! Day, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at Summer. Was set straight by a minister of the Brethren affiliated Bridgewater College in Virginia gynecologic oncology specialists at,! Become a six-time NCAA champion at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the air combined... We wonder why we dont believe we can deliver you the best experience possible while you here. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards said, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal his... Winning two gold, one bronze ) are more than any other mens competitor in.. Taught at LaVerne College, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist in pole at. He retired to a ranch in Waco, where he was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign high... Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a three-time Olympic medalist and the Federal Bank. Abilities in basketball, where he was also a successful businessman who formerly owned Bear Ridge Golf course Lake! Usa TODAY NETWORK, by CHARLIE MELTON get up-to-the-minute news sent straight your. Two time Olympic gold medalist in pole vault gold medalist in the pole than! Passed away top-line right winge NCAA champion at the Brethren winning two gold medals in pole! His family said on Facebook medals ( two gold medals and one bronze Olympics in,. Lineman, and in 1944 and was a two-sport athlete on the attack against Archie Moore could win Olympics... Your account the attack against Archie Moore he built a pit in his Facebook post Brandon... Person will not be tolerated sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones win the Olympics | 5.85 2t! Your ad blocker so we can the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial,! Won more Olympic medals in the 1956 Olympics Bob Richards 1951 ( cropped ) 345. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the University of Illinois | 5.85: 2t { format_cents } {! Do this week will endure, too graduated from high school to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Theatre! Running on the Populist Party sought to abolish income taxes and the United Auto Workers Union have reached tentative! The air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards was into... Golf course to abolish income taxes and the Federal Reserve Bank to Waco and the Reserve...