Born in Denver, Colorado, April 25, 1940. Passed on in West Richland, Washington, July 16, 2023.
Skip didn’t compete often in WABDL but he was very instrumental in getting WABDL started. He won three (3) WABDL Worlds and 13 WPF/APF Worlds all over Europe – mostly in Great Britain, France and Italy.
I started promoting meets on March 11, 1977 and directed two meets a year until 1986, then four meets a year from 1986 – 1994. When I met Skip, he helped me get $100,000 in sponsors, provided equipment, lodging and friendship. He helped me with meets in tri-cities, Spokane, WA, Portland, OR and Pendleton, OR. These meets drew 130-140 lifters. We had a Bench Press competition in the tri-cities that was televised on ESPN in May of 1994 that drew 257 lifters. He helped with contacts from other countries and always provided me with a place to stay when I was in town. We had many great powerlifting conversations over a few beers, always in a classy Pilsner glass. Between Skips calm presence and those Pilsner glasses, the beer always tasted better!
In conclusion, Skip was the bridge from Gus Rethwisch being a promoter/meet director to WABDL’s Federation President. Without Skip, there is no WABDL. His exact words were, “You can run a Federation a hell of a lot better than the amateurs that we have now”.