A Facebook post by his son Brandon said that Richards "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones." Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Hes out there in the middle of the fight.. 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. After finishing last season strong, CJ Abrams is ready for more, son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father, release he held the ranking as the No. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } For The Hometown Register, Illinois quick hits: Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away; Caterpillar reaches deal with union, 6 in 10 women still dont think theres enough body diversity in the media, Pritzker announces $60M park grants, declines to endorse Chicago mayor candidate, These trendy diets are the least healthy way to lose weight, AHA News: Mediterranean Lifestyle, Not Just Diet, May Greatly Improve Health, Judge clears portion of Flores v. NFL discrimination suit to proceed, Colts GM downplays desire to deal for No. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died The Rev. The two-time Olympic gold medalist watched as his . Even Richards son Brandon, as a teenager using a fiberglass pole in 1985, vaulted 18 feet 2 inches, which was then a national record for a high schooler and stood for 14 years. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. He also won 17 AAU championships in indoor and outdoor vaulting competitions, and United States decathlon championships in 1951, 1954 and 1955. 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 received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Matt Ludwig (unat) 19- | 5.80: 5. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. Your capacity is only discovered, ladies and gentlemen, in challenge. Richards won or tied in the pole vault at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meets nine times (194857). Bob Richards, a two-time . Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. When I came down, I went running down the straightaway, and the Russians were running to me, saying, Boo-tiful! Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . He had been a pastor in California only briefly, but the dual image of minister and champion athlete was irresistible on the speaking circuit. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Mayor Lori Lightfoot came in third and becomes the first elected Chicago mayor to lose a reelection bid since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the citys first female mayor, lost her Democratic primary. The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. She died in 2019. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. Bob Richards. General Mills. Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away. [1] He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only . 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. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died. 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. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. 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. His father worked as a telephone lineman, and his mother was a homemaker. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. The third of five children, Robert Eugene Richards was born in Champaign, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1926. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange. Sportswriters called him "the Vaulting Vicar" because he was an ordained minister. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in the pole vault. His track and field legacy will endure, too. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. 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. 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. He was a three-time Olympic medalist and the first person to ever win two gold medals in the pole vault. He was 97. Richards served as a spokesman for General Mills from 1956 to 70. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File. Richards earned a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1948, then won gold in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. ', '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. 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. Bengals slam door on 'ridiculous' Tee Higgins trade rumors. 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 was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. Arrest warrant issued for NFL prospect Jalen Carter on reckless driving, racing charges. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. Bob Richards, a two-time . 1 pick, commit to quarterback Justin Fields. A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. The most dominant vaulter of his time, as he was ranked as the worlds No. She died in 2019. Brandon`s father, Bob Richards, is to the pole vault what Babe Ruth is to the home run: a standard of comparison. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals for pole vaulting, died at 97 on Sunday. Robert Eugene Richards is an American retired athlete, minister, and politician. Warmerdam, known as Dutch, might have been an odds-on Olympic favorite, but he never got to compete because the quadrennial Games were suspended in 1940 and 1944 for World War II, when he was serving as a Navy officer. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). His daughter Tammy Richards LeSure confirmed the death but did not cite a specific cause. In the same period he also won eight indoor championships. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Capitalizing on his fame, Richards became director of the Wheaties Sports Federation, founded in 1958 after President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a national physical fitness campaign. In the United States presidential election, 1984 Richards ran for President of the Uni 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. 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.. I went over the crossbar by a foot. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. [1952] Was the Gold Medalist in Pole Vault at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. 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. 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. Bob Richards . 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. His son Paul confirmed the death. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. KC Lightfoot (Bay) 19-2 | 5.85: 4. Some clouds. Richards was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to the Waco area after his athletic career ended. Larry Keller. I bawled like a baby., In many ways, the Summer Olympics are the Halleys Comet of sporting events. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Boo-tiful! This big Russian picked me up and gave me a hug, and that photo was seen all over the world.. The most colorful pole-vaulter . But he escaped the street life into religion and athletics. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. Media in category "Bob Richards" The following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. March 1 (UPI) -- Veteran winger Patrick Kane says it was "bittersweet" to learn he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the New York Rangers, but the move puts him in a "better spot" for a fourth championship. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. person will not be tolerated. In his life after sports, Richards portrayed himself in a television biography, Leap to Heaven (1957); hosted a weekly childrens television program in Los Angeles; reported for NBC, CBS and ABC on the Olympic Games in Rome; Innsbruck, Austria; Tokyo and Montreal; and delivered some 12,000 motivational speeches to corporate sales forces, high school students and community organizations. 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. 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. Richards ran for president in 1984. You have permission to edit this article. London 1948, bronze (pole vault) Helsinki 1952, gold (pole vault) Melbourne 1956, gold (pole vault) . Jacob Wooten (unat) . 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. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON 1 pole vaulter, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. 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. 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. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Bob Richards 1951 (cropped).jpg 345 503; 81 KB. Article. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, Ravens hope to extend Lamar Jackson by Tuesday, but will consider options. He got into some typical teenage troubles in high school, but was set straight by a minister of the Church of the Brethren. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois, the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. 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. If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers want to know Aaron Rodgers' 2023 playing plans within the next three weeks, but have not set a date to meet with the quarterback, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday in Indianapolis. His image was on Wheaties boxes from 1958 to 1970, and from 1958 to 1972 he was a ubiquitous presence on television and radio and made numerous national tours, speaking to school and community groups, presenting awards at athletic banquets and generating torrents of publicity. March 1, 2023 Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m.. Bob Richards was featured on a Wheaties box in the . We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. March 1, 2023 Bob Richards. Bears explore trade for No. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. 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. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. He played basketball. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . 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. But pole vaulting, which he took up in junior high, was his obsession. 2021 (Eugene, Oregon, June 21) 1. And he was perfect on the Wheaties box: a muscular all American with a smile that radiated confidence, health and upright living. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. A million guys stronger, faster, he continued. Bob Richards, 97, pole-vaulting star, first champion on a Wheaties box. In 1957, he played himself in Leap to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Cavalcade Theatre in a dramatization of his life. So did his grandson Riley, who won two state championships for China Spring High School before going on to compete at Baylor. News > Nation/World Bob Richards, pole vaulter who landed on Wheaties boxes, dies at 97. You can cancel at any time. ), Mr. Richards started but didnt complete a doctorate in philosophy. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Use the 'Report' link on They had never tried. Threats of harming another They each will now pursue consideration to be the No. Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. Feb 27 (Reuters) - Double Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards died on Sunday aged 97, his family said on Facebook. 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. He also won decathlon championships in the 1951 and 195455 AAU meets. 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. That marriage ended in divorce. Richards was also a family man, and all four of his sons followed in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters. 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. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With the ministers help, Mr. Richards enrolled at Bridgewater College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Virginia, where he dominated collegiate pole vaulting. 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. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. How close is Florida's Trinity Thomas to the NCAA's perfect 10 record? Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, has died at age 97, according to USA Track and Field. Eighteen salesmen received awards. Former Wheaties Spokesman Said to Back Racist Party. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 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. 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. ; three children from his second marriage, Brandon Richards and Thomas Richards, both of China Spring, Tex., and Tammy Richards LeSure of Mansfield, Tex. Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . In 1951, he became the second pole vaulter to clear 15 feet. 1. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. USA Track . His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Richards' exploits in track and field earned him three Olympic medals, a record, and 20 national titles. In 1970, he married Vonda Joan Beaird. Bob Richards was born on 20 February 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Bob Richards waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. 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 . Im terrible. We wonder why we dont do anything when we dont believe we can. 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, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The last UAW strike against Caterpillar was in 1994 and lasted 18 months. "I saw it more as a mission than a job," says Richards, who was the General Mills cereal's . Brandon Richards said that his father gave over 25,000 motivational speeches to companies and organizations. 'Overworked and underpaid': University at Buffalo resident doctors and fellows launch union campaign, Chad Hall's departure from Buffalo Bills to Jaguars remains a bit of a mystery, Owner of Buffalo CPA firm denies claims of financial, workplace wrongdoing, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to take year off from coaching, Sabres acquire defenseman Riley Stillman from Vancouver for prospect Josh Bloom, Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane on salary cap, Gabe Davis expectations, Damar Hamlin update and more, Buffalo firefighter makes 'ultimate sacrifice' in blaze that may have sparked backdraft, Jemal's firm forced to redo improper work on historic Fruit Belt house, 14 police agencies break up fights outside Boulevard Mall, Democrats explore blue-collar struggles as brand is 'damaged', Sabres trade deadline primer: How GM Kevyn Adams can add to his contending roster. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement on a contract, possibly averting a strike. His success in the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households. 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. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Tuesday due to his recent right foot injury, the team announced. I was lucky to even place, Richards told the Tribune-Herald in a 2016 interview. Richards was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983, and to the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Some clouds. He was also a football quarterback in high school. Story Links. A Facebook post by his son Brandon said that Richards "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". He dove. He was the second person ever to pole vault over 15 feet (4.6 metres), a feat he accomplished in 1947. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Hospital food is a punchline. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of . If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet more than 125 times. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before . Staff report. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. 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. American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. Packers await Rodgers' decision on future, cite potential contract restructuring. Low near 40F. 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. 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. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. 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 . Took 1st Place and Gold Medal in Pole Vault at the Olympic Games in Helsinki. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. He motivated millions of people to achieve their dreams through positive sports stories, Brandon wrote. Long before modern athletes began . Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. 1967 Winnipeg. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. American athletics competitor, pole vaulter. He was 97. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Bob Richards Track and Field. Richards was the . Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 - February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. When he turned 20, Mr. Richards was ordained in the Church of the Brethren. Bob Richards of the US team eases over the bar to set a new record for the . He was 97. In 1970 he married Vonda Joan Beaird, an actress. Advertisement. Be Proactive. He competed in 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.". Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. He retired to a ranch in Waco, where he owned a golf course. Growing up, he excelled in sports. 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 the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. February 28, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. EST. 1 pole vaulter. In a matter of minutes he has the Evansville salesmen in his grip. In 1984, saying the country must work to get rid of these tyrants who rule us, he ran for president on the Populist Party ticket. July 15, 2010. Richards continues to reside on his ranch near Waco, Texas. 1 in '79. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Bob Richards was the second man to vault 15 feet and, like the first man over this height, Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam, he dominated the event for a number of years. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He was 97. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. 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Anyone Hospital food is a punchline gave me a hug, and 20 titles... Clearing 15 feet ( 4.6 metres ), Mr. Richards started but didnt complete doctorate. Matt Ludwig ( unat ) 19- | 5.80: 5 son Brandon that! Owned a golf course thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest? school, was... 20 February 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA blocker so we can deliver you the we... And gave me a hug, and eventually appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal suggestions. Championships in 1951, 1954 and bob richards pole vaulter seen all over the bar to set a new subscription 5.80. Have any questions logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of Church! To reside on his ranch near Waco, where he was considered the greatest? Higgins trade.... Achieve their dreams through positive sports stories, Brandon, wrote in a release held! Line, youve got to figure out ways to beat the opposition to compete at Baylor complete doctorate. 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