OBITUARYROBERT D. "BOB" MEYERS, 74, WRESTLING LEADER AND FORMER WORLD CUP ORGANIZER, DIES IN HIXSON, TENN., MAY 18
- from Chattanooga Times and other sources
Robert D. "Bob" Myers, 74, an amateur wrestling leader in Tennessee and former organizer of two World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling events, died on Tuesday, May 18 in his home in Hixson, Tenn.
Myers served as executive director of the local organizing committee for the 1993 and 1995 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling events, which were held at the Univ. of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). These successful events featured the best freestyle wrestling nations in the world, competing in dual meet competition for team and individual honors.
With only a few weeks to prepare, Myers helped bring the 1993 World Cup to Chattanooga. Working with his committee, Myers rallied the local community and set the standard for organization of this major international event. Based on the success of the 1993 World Cup, Chattanooga was awarded the 1995 World Cup as well.
Myers was instrumental in the creation and development of the Southern Open Wrestling Championships, a nationally respected collegiate wrestling event in Chattanooga. He also served on the local organizing committee for a USA vs. Russia dual meet held in the spring of 1971. He was among the local leaders who assisted with the U.S. wrestling training camps held in Chattanooga prior to the 1995 World Championships and 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga.
He was active in wrestling at all levels in the state. Myers was a supporter of the UTC wrestling team, and served as a strength coach for the wrestlers. A former UTC football player in the 1940's, Myers was inducted into the UTC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. He also worked with local youth wrestlers, organizing training opportunities for talented athletes at his home for many years.
Myers was a past member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Board of Governors, assisting in the promotion of the sport on the national level.
He was the former president of Enterprise Sales and Engineering and the inventor of the Myers Bar, a weight training instrument. He also wrote five novels.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa; a son, Bob Myers of Ringgold, Ga.; two daughters, Alice Myers of South Korea and Lynn Leslie of Arden, N.C.; a brother, Dr. Albert Myers of Oceanside, Calif., and five grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held for Bob Myers on Saturday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Chattanooga. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the UTC Wrestling Department, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403.