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. Bob Richards. I cant do anything. Carmel man on meth, weapons charges, Start-over is in the works for Mount Carmel City Pool fix plans, Richland Co. assessment multiplier issued. Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the Crossbar Ranch. [1955] Corrections? Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . He also was the oldest living Olympic track and field champion before his death. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. There is no feeling in the world that can match it, Richards said in 2016. person will not be tolerated. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. 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). The salesman is on the field! The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 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. In 1970, he married Vonda Joan Beaird. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He played basketball. By then, Mr. Richards was hopscotching around the country delivering what would add up to more than 25,000 motivational speeches at sales conferences, awards dinners and corporate retreats. 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. 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. American athletics competitor, pole vaulter. Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. 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.. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. She died in 2019. 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. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. ; three children from his second marriage, Brandon Richards and Thomas Richards, both of China Spring, Tex., and Tammy Richards LeSure of Mansfield, Tex. They remain pole vault gold for all that take the time to listen to his stories. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, Ravens hope to extend Lamar Jackson by Tuesday, but will consider options. 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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. 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. Share with Us. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. Bob Richards of the US team eases over the bar to set a new record for the . 2021 (Eugene, Oregon, June 21) 1. Pan American Games. Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. In New York, chefs are redefining it. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois family lost one of its most decorated athletes with the passing of Bob Richards on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Feb 27 (Reuters) - Double Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards died on Sunday aged 97, his family said on Facebook. The versatile athlete known as the "Vaulting Vicar" also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. 1. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. 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 became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. Its the climax of all your dreams. The only other person to win two Olympic pole vault titles is Yelena Isinbayeva from Russia. Former Wheaties Spokesman Said to Back Racist Party. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. 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 waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. 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. American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism He dove. He was 97. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. [1] He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only . Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of . 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. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. Don't knowingly lie about anyone He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. 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. He was 97. Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 - February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. You can cancel at any time. Richards retired from athletics in 1957 and became a spokesman for Wheaties cereal. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In 1958, Olympic pole vaulter Bob Richards became the first athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties box. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . He retired to a ranch in Waco, where he owned a golf course. 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. Bob Richards, 97, pole-vaulting star, first champion on a Wheaties box. Richards was also a family man, and all four of his sons followed in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. 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. When I came down, I went running down the straightaway, and the Russians were running to me, saying, Boo-tiful! Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota. 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. 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. T. HE POLE VAULT -- the most technologically advanced, adventure-filled event in track and field -- represents all the innocence, bravado, and magic of childhood. If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. Boo-tiful! This big Russian picked me up and gave me a hug, and that photo was seen all over the world.. Be Truthful. The most colorful pole-vaulter . So did his grandson Riley, who won two state championships for China Spring High School before going on to compete at Baylor. Robert Seagren (born October 17, 1946) is a retired American pole vaulter, the 1968 Olympic champion . Bob Richards is a remarkable human being. Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . USA Track . 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. Long before modern athletes began . Richards also competed as a decathlete in the 1956 Olympics. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Bob Richards, a two-time . His daughter Tammy Richards LeSure confirmed the death but did not cite a specific cause. 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. The Populist Party sought to abolish income taxes and the Federal Reserve Bank. Actor: Cavalcade of America. London 1948, bronze (pole vault) Helsinki 1952, gold (pole vault) Melbourne 1956, gold (pole vault) . 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 97. accounts, the history behind an article. With the help of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never dreamed of. He began his higher education in 1944 at Bridgewater College (Virginia), where he played basketball and continued pole vaulting, and then transferred to the University of Illinois, where he received his A.B. 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. Some clouds. His father was a telephone lineman. 1967 Winnipeg. Long before modern athletes began riding fiberglass poles to unimaginable heights, the Rev. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. ; a brother; and 31 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. 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. Richards was the . The third of five children, Robert Eugene Richards was born in Champaign, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1926. ', '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. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Bob Richards. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 . Lakers concerned injured LeBron James may miss more than a week. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. He was a six-time NCAA champion and won 20 national AAU titles, including 17 in the pole vault and three in decathlon. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. 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. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The UAW made an announcement on its website. Article. But pole vaulting, which he took up in junior high, was his obsession. The family that plays and prays together stays together, Richards intoned on countless occasions. That marriage ended in divorce. 1 vaulter for eight consecutive years. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In the same period he also won eight indoor championships. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. 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