BOB DELLINGER, 70, FORMER USA WRESTLING AND HALL OF FAME EMPLOYEE, DIES OF COLON CANCER 
 - from Associated Press, Daily Oklahoman and other sources  
 Bob Dellinger, 70, a former employee of USA Wrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and a leader within the sport, died Saturday, Feb. 27 of colon cancer in Stillwater, Okla.  
 Dellinger joined the staff of the United States Wrestling Federation (USWF) in 1972. The USWF became USA Wrestling, the new national governing body for the sport, in 1983. Dellinger worked with the organization through 1988. USA Wrestling moved its corporate headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colo. that year.   
 He worked in a number of capacities within USA Wrestling, including serving as the editor of the organization's newspaper. He was considered one of the foremost authorities on wrestling tournament procedures and operations.  
 Dellinger completed his career as a director with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. until his retirement. He was inducted as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1983.   Prior to joining USA Wrestling, Dellinger worked as a sports reporter for the Daily Oklahoman, where he spent 20 years serving as a writer, editor and administrator. He won the Amateur Wrestling News "Writer of the Year award" three straight years (1960-63), before withdrawing his name from consideration. The award was renamed the Bob Dellinger Award, and is presented annually in his honor.   
 He participated in some capacity at hundreds of wrestling events, including almost every major international wrestling tournament in the nation and the world. Dellinger was involved in a leadership role at the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the Pan American Games, the Goodwill Games, the World Cup, the U.S. Olympic Festival and many others. He also worked the major competitions on the college level, including the NCAA Championships and the NAIA Championships.   
 Among his major contributions was in the field of tournament operations. He developed the science of conducting tournaments in a smooth and efficient manner, becoming an expert on seeding, bracketing and tournament planning. He also mastered the international wrestling pairing systems, and established a national system of pairing and tournament operation education clinics.   
 Dellinger's death was announced to the Oklahoma state high school wrestling tournament, prior to Saturday night's finals at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City. Instead of a moment of silence, the crowd was asked by announcer Don Blasingame to give a loud cheer, and Dellinger received a standing ovation. Blasingame, a close friend of Dellinger's, had worked alongside Dellinger at numerous major wrestling events.   He is survived by his wife, Doris; three sons, David, Eric and Rick, and 11 grandchildren.   
 A memorial service for Bob Dellinger will be held on Wednesday, March 3rd, at 10:30 a.m. Central time at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel, 610 Duncan St., Stillwater, Okla. 74074. The phone for Strode Funeral Home is 405-372-5550.   
 Memorial donations can be made to the Bob Dellinger room at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, 405 W. Hall of Fame Ave., Stillwater, OK 74075. For information, call 405-377-5243.