Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. Sportswriters called him the Vaulting Vicar because he was an ordained minister. He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. Corrections? He also won 17 AAU championships in indoor and outdoor vaulting competitions, and United States decathlon championships in 1951, 1954 and 1955. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File 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. Bengals slam door on 'ridiculous' Tee Higgins trade rumors. Todays top male vaulters, with refined techniques and springy fiberglass poles that bow almost to U shapes, routinely soar over crossbars set above 19 feet. accounts, the history behind an article. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Low near 40F. 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. He was 97. 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. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. 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. Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. 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. {{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. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File. In 1946, he was ordained and transferred to the University of Illinois. 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. Most of us say, Im the worst. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. 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. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. Richards also competed as a decathlete in the 1956 Olympics. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. [1955] You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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 was 97. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. 1 in '79. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? His success in the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households. 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. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois, the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. or anything. They each will now pursue consideration to be the No. 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. In 1970, he married Vonda Joan Beaird. Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 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 . If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. Richards won or tied in the pole vault at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meets nine times (194857). 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. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of . His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. 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 had become a Brethren minister in 1946 and in 1948 received his M.A. 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. Your capacity is only discovered, ladies and gentlemen, in challenge. The most dominant vaulter of his time, as he was ranked as the worlds No. She died in 2019. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He was 97. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. 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). Keep it Clean. You can cancel at any time. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. After a difficult adolescence and the breakup of his home by divorce, he was reared by a minister in the Church of the Brethren. 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 overall pick in the 2023 and are committed to quarterback Justin Fields next season, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis. Carmel man on meth, weapons charges, Start-over is in the works for Mount Carmel City Pool fix plans, Richland Co. assessment multiplier issued. 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. 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. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. The next year, he competed with the U.S. Olympic team in London, winning a bronze medal. Advertisement. Richards earned a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1948, then won gold in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne. But it also came to be known for the far-right extremist views of one its founders, Willis Carto, a Holocaust denier and neo-Nazi hero. Time skulks along slowly between the arrival of each Olympics, an. 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. He was 97. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Growing up, he excelled in sports. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. His track and field legacy will endure, too. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. Story Links. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. 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. In 1958, Olympic pole vaulter Bob Richards became the first athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties box. 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. He also won decathlon championships in the 1951 and 195455 AAU meets. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-round, followed by back-to-back gold medals. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. He won six National AAU and four NCAA titles indoors and outdoors. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. In a matter of minutes he has the Evansville salesmen in his grip. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. 1 eight times in an . Lakers concerned injured LeBron James may miss more than a week. Larry Keller. Some clouds. Ex-Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane calls trade to Rangers 'bittersweet'. Some clouds. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. Much has changed since Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vaulting champion, was Mr. Wheaties. He dove. The busy and popular local doughnut chain will move its operations from 8560 Main St. to 8010 Transit Road this spring. Following a college career as a standout at the University of Illinois, he made his Olympic debut in 1948 in London and nabbed a bronze medal in a rainy competition. He also appeared on a Wheaties box. They had never gotten on a track. 1967 Winnipeg. 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. I was lucky to even place, Richards told the Tribune-Herald in a 2016 interview. And he was perfect on the Wheaties box: a muscular all American with a smile that radiated confidence, health and upright living. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Feb. 27, 2023 Updated 2:44 p.m. 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.. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, Ravens hope to extend Lamar Jackson by Tuesday, but will consider options. His father was a telephone lineman. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He is an actor, . 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. 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. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. 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. Richards was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to the Waco area after his athletic career ended. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. You have permission to edit this article. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. General Mills. 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. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. 2023 University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals don't plan to trade wide receiver Tee Higgins and consider the notion "ridiculous," director of player personnel Duke Tobin said Tuesday in Indianapolis. 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. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. Richards was the . 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.. The Washington Post - 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. 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. Bob Richards. In 1951, he became the second pole vaulter to clear 15 feet. Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26, 2023. 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. He also was the oldest living Olympic track and field champion before his death. 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