Weber, Dick

Weber, Dick
▪ 2006
Richard Anthony Weber  American bowler (b. Dec. 23, 1929, Indianapolis, Ind.—d. Feb. 14, 2005, Florissant, Mo.), reigned, along with Don Carter and Earl Anthony, as one of the top three bowlers of the 20th century and captivated television audiences during the sport's heyday in the 1960s. During his charter membership (1959–92) in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), Weber captured 26 titles, was named Bowler of the Year three times (1961, 1963, and 1965), and was crowned PBA Player of the Year in 1965. Beginning in 1955 he also played on the legendary Budweiser team (captained by Carter and including bowling greats Ray Bluth, Pat Patterson, and Billy Welu) that captured Bowling Proprietors' Association of America national titles in 1955–56, 1958–59, and 1961–62; Weber and Bluth also won four national doubles titles (1955, 1960–61, and 1964). The ambassador of bowling delighted late-night TV audiences, who watched Weber take aim at ketchup bottles, beer bottles, and lava lamps. In 1975 he became a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame, and his son Pete became a top-notch bowler and PBA Hall of Fame inductee as well.

* * *

▪ American bowler
in full  Richard Anthony Weber 
born Dec. 23, 1929, Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.
died Feb. 13, 2005, Florissant, Mo.
 American professional bowler, who was a charter member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and a frequent finalist in bowling tournaments that were televised in the United States during the 1960s.

      Weber got his start in the sport at an after-school job in a bowling alley, where the proprietor allowed him and other pinsetters to bowl without charge during off-hours. It was the beginning of one of the most successful bowling careers in history.

      After years of bowling for small sums in after-midnight matches, while holding jobs ranging from street photographer to postal clerk, Weber was invited in 1955 to join one of the first professional bowling teams in the United States, the Budweisers, located in St. Louis, Mo. In his first tournament appearance with the team, which included future legends Don Carter (Carter, Don), Ray Bluth, Tom Hennessey, and Pat Patterson, Weber's share of the prize was $200, equal to what he had earned in four weeks at the post office.

      The Budweisers dominated the fast-growing sport in the late 1950s, and Weber soon became one of the most frequent winners in individual tournaments held by the PBA after its formation in 1958. He won four national individual match game championships and paired with Bluth to capture the national doubles title four times. Weber continued his string of victories even after being elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975. He became the first bowler to win PBA titles in six consecutive decades when he won a PBA title in 2002.

      The youngest of Weber's four children, Pete Weber, followed his father's footsteps into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1998.

John J. Archibald
 

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dick Weber — (December 23, 1929 February 13, 2005) was a famous bowling professional and a founding member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). Weber was known not only as a bowling superstar, but also as a bowling pioneer and one of the sport s… …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Kempthorn — 1948 Date of birth October 23, 1926 (1926 10 23) (age 85) Place of birth Canton, Ohio …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Hunsaker — Sport(s) Basketball Current position Title Head coach Team Utah Valley Playing career 1972–1973 1974–1977 UTEP Weber State …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Rifenburg — Rifenburg from 1950 Michiganensian Position(s) End Born August 26, 1926( …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Weber — (* 23. Dezember 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana; † 14. Februar 2005 in Florissant, Missouri) war ein US amerikanischer professioneller Bowling Spieler. Er galt als einer der besten Spieler dieses Sports. Weber wurde 1955 Mitglied eines der ersten… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Weber (Familienname) — Weber ist ein Familienname. Herkunft und Bedeutung Der Familienname Weber ist abgeleitet von dem Beruf des Webers. In Deutschland belegt der Name Weber Platz 5 der häufigsten Familiennamen. Varianten Textor (latinisiert) von Waeber Weeber Wefer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Weber State University — Established 1889 Type Public Endowment US $62.2 million[ …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Tracy (serial) — Dick Tracy Directed by Alan James Ray Taylor Produced by Nat Levine J. Laurence Wickland (Associate) …   Wikipedia

  • Dick McGuire — No. 15 Guard Personal information Date of birth January 25, 1926(1926 01 25) Place of birth The Bronx, New York[1 …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Urine — is a pseudonym associated with independent label owner/producer Peter Yarmouth. Dick Urine was Yarmouth s stage name (which he always hated) and the name was created/invented by GG Allin. The Dick Urine name first turned up on early self released …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”