Ex-Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane calls trade to Rangers 'bittersweet'. 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. A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. For 100 years, Wheaties has been a source of morning nutrition and . Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. We'd love to hear eyewitness INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens hope to agree to a contract extension with Lamar Jackson before the NFL's March 7 franchise tag deadline, general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Richards earned a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1948, then won gold in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away. Don't Threaten. A Facebook post . Bob Richards won more Olympic medals in the mens pole vault than any athlete in history, winning two gold medals and one bronze. 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. 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. He was 97. 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. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died. The family that plays and prays together stays together, Richards intoned on countless occasions. 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. Carmel man on meth, weapons charges, Start-over is in the works for Mount Carmel City Pool fix plans, Richland Co. assessment multiplier issued. Richards was also a family man, and all four of his sons followed in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters. They remain pole vault gold for all that take the time to listen to his stories. 1 in '79. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. He was 97. 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. "I saw it more as a mission than a job," says Richards, who was the General Mills cereal's . 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. Be Truthful. 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 hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . Known alternatively as the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor, Mr. Richards was one of the most dominating athletes of his time, leaping as high as 15 feet 6 inches with a stiff metal pole in the days before flexible fiberglass helped Olympic vaulters cross over bars nearly 20 feet in height. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. 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. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. 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. Article. 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. 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! degree in 1947. 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. [1] He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only . Bob Richards 2.jpg 801 1,000; 128 KB. Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. 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.. 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 was lucky to even place, Richards told the Tribune-Herald in a 2016 interview. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Centex baseball preview: What's old, new, borrowed and blue for 2023? Pan American Games. And he was perfect on the Wheaties box: a muscular all American with a smile that radiated confidence, health and upright living. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Herbert Scharfman, Associated Press file photo, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Elementary school music teacher leaves $6M to Baylor, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Mike Copeland: Steak and Ale comeback; Paper plant progress; Bagby apartments; Gaines Booked Up, Lake on Waco Creek floated for park next to Floyd Casey development, Whizzbang's owner buys Health Camp with eye to preserving burger joint legacy, Sheriff names man found dead of apparent gunshot in Golinda, Waco Charter School to close after summer classes, La Vega, Fairfield girls know the way to San Antone, clinching state trips, Brothers continue dad's clear legacy at Freddy's Glass, Brice Cherry: Collen pushes all the right buttons in her best coaching performance yet, The GOAT of tennis families lives in Groesbeck. 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'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. Bob Richards. ; a brother; and 31 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 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. He motivated millions of people to achieve their dreams through positive sports stories, Brandon wrote. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: "We lost a national treasure." 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. 1. But pole vaulting, which he took up in junior high, was his obsession. racist or sexually-oriented language. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. 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 . person will not be tolerated. The salesman is on the field! Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. With his wife by his side and his dog in his lap, Bob Richards sat on a couch in the Zero G Elite Pole Vault Club that's on his ranch in Waco. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. His father was a telephone lineman. Mr. Richardss 1946 marriage to Mary Leah Cline ended in divorce. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Staff report. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears will continue to field offers for the No. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. Omissions? He received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. 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. A million guys stronger, faster, he continued. He was 97. Bob Richards: 15-1 . His father worked as a telephone lineman, and his mother was a homemaker. His son Paul confirmed the death. The UAW made an announcement on its website. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, The Olympic Movement - Biography of Robert Richards. Its the climax of all your dreams. A two-time Olympic champion, Richards was going 15 feet when fiberglass poles were . He was also a successful businessman who formerly owned Bear Ridge Golf Course and Lake Waco Golf Club. Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the Crossbar Ranch. American athletics competitor, pole vaulter. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Be Nice. He was a six-time NCAA champion and won 20 national AAU titles, including 17 in the pole vault and three in decathlon. Richards also competed as a decathlete . Feb 27 (Reuters) - Double Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards died on Sunday aged 97, his family said on Facebook. Mr. Richards is still the only Olympic pole vaulter to win two gold medals, but hes not the familys lone record holder. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. 1 min read. Much has changed since Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vaulting champion, was Mr. Wheaties. 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Survivors include three children from his first marriage, Carol Stasiewicz of Reno, Nev., Robert Richards Jr. of Garden Grove, Calif., and Paul Richards of Waco, Tex. Eighteen salesmen received awards. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. 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. The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. Richards was the . I cant do anything. If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. 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 Track and Field. Bob Richards 1951 (cropped).jpg 345 503; 81 KB. There is no feeling in the world that can match it, Richards said in 2016. [1955] They had never tried. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. 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. 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. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons released veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, the team announced Tuesday. Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. 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 . Bob Richards is a remarkable human being. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism T. HE POLE VAULT -- the most technologically advanced, adventure-filled event in track and field -- represents all the innocence, bravado, and magic of childhood. 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. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. Actor: Cavalcade of America. 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. 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. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, died at age 97 . Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26, 2023. In 1957, he played himself in Leap to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Cavalcade Theatre in a dramatization of his life. Bob Richards was born on February 20, 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. "He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be," Brandon Richards said. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in the pole vault. The third of five children, Robert Eugene Richards was born in Champaign, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1926. His son, Brandon, w Mr. Richardss daughter said her father regretted running on the Populist Party ticket given the extremism that developed in the party.. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Be Proactive. accounts, the history behind an article. Bob Richards of La Verne . Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. But they didnt believe they could win the Olympics. 0. 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 . Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. 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. Richards ran for president in 1984. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Some clouds. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. ", Olympic pole vault champ Richards dies at 97, Companies charged in Tokyo Olympic bid-rigging, Serbia grabs last spot in Basketball World Cup, Olsen earns WC slalom win after Ginnis DQ'd, US Olympic Sailing Team executive director quits. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. He had been a pastor in California only briefly, but the dual image of minister and champion athlete was irresistible on the speaking circuit. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst. 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