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On February 14, 2005, the bowling
world received news that they never wanted to hear. The great Dick
Weber, suddenly and unexpectedly, passed away in his sleep. He was
75-years old.
This was a man who was loved and worshipped by everyone who knew
him. In fact, he was even loved by millions who had never even met
him. He was that kind of a guy.
He was to bowling, what Arnold Palmer was to golf, Muhammad Ali
was to boxing and Babe Ruth was to baseball, all wrapped in one.
He almost single-handedly helped bring Professional Bowling onto
the national scene (in the late 1950's) when Eddie Elias formed
a singles Tour.
Everybody in bowling has at least "one" Dick Weber story.
Here's one of mine.
By 1960, all of us high school "jocks" were out of sports, married
and settled down. All of us that is, except my good friend, Billy
Hardwick. He was still pursuing his dream of becoming a "real" bowler
and going out on the newly formed PBA Tour. He was still practicing
over 20-games a day and bowling "pot-games" every night. He was
now the best in the San Francisco Bay Area. He had desire and determination,
and he was going to show all of us. I'm sure he was driven to this
destination, from always being laughed at and teased in high school.
In 1962, he put together a sponsorship package with all of his friends
and family to go out on the PBA Tour. We all thought that he was
crazy when he asked everybody to give him $100.00 (a lot of money
back then). Somehow, he actually did convince a total of 20-people
to be part of this syndicate. Most of us, just "shook-our-heads"
in disbelief, as he set out to do battle with the greatest bowlers
in the world.
He did join the PBA and went on the National Tour. That first year,
he bowled in 17-events. All of his relatives, friends and sponsors
closely followed his new career. It was depressing. Very, very depressing.
He had failed to cash in any of the tournaments. When he came home,
I remember him telling me how good those "Pro's" are. I asked him,
"What are you going to do now?" He said, "I am going to work on
my game some more, and go out there next year and beat those guys."
I used to think that he was crazy. But, now, I was sure of it.
True to his word, he did go out there again the next year (1963),
and he totally dominated the PBA Tour by winning 4-titles, including
the prestigious PBA National Championship. His mastery easily earned
him the Bowler of the Year award. WOW!!! What a turnaround!!!
When he came home after that great season, he threw a big party
for his friends and family. We were so proud of him. He told me
all about the Tour, and how great it was to be out there on the
"road". He had a new car, new clothes and some fancy jewelry. He
gave me a wristwatch that he had won and bought me a pair of lizard-skin
shoes. He was on "top-of-the-world". I couldn't believe it. I was
so proud of him, as was everybody in our small town.
I had diligently followed his progress in the sports pages of the
local papers (when there was some coverage), and talked with him
on the phone almost every week when he would call, but I had never
been to a PBA tournament.
I had heard of most of the Pro's, but had never met any of them.
Now that my friend was a big-time national star, I told him I would
go to the next tournament that was in the area. In 1964, he won
the 1st tournament of the year in Michigan. Then, he won the 3rd
tournament in Costa Mesa, Ca.. He called me and said that I should
have been there. I told him that I had to work, but I had planned
my vacation to be at the tournament in Las Vegas, later that year.
As promised, I did go to Vegas. While there, he introduced me to
all the guys, including the icons, Don Carter and Dick Weber. I
was totally impressed with these two gentlemen.
The following year (1965), I again planned my vacation to go to
the Vegas tournament. Billy had won the Firestone Tournament of
Champions (beating the great Weber) earlier in the year and now
I was a huge fan of the Tour, eagerly watching it every Saturday
on ABC-TV.
Once again on my vacation, I showed up in Vegas. While standing
in line to check-in at the old Showboat Hotel, Don Carter looked
at me once and called me by my name. I almost fainted. How did he
remember my name?
Later that day, I was standing on the concourse in the bowling center,
and Dick Weber also called me by my first name. How did he remember?
It had been a year since I had met them for the first time, and
that was only briefly. How could they possibly remember me?
I thought about the "class" that these two super-stars had. The
fact that my friend was successful at what he loved - AND, the "class"
of these two Superstars, is why I really "fell-in-love" with bowling.
I'll never forget Dick Weber. I'll never forget where I was on February
14, 2005.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of one of more than 40-stories that
are contained on the 3, CD "set" that is sold here on the Bowlers
Paradise web site. Don't miss out on your opportunity to hear Len
Nicholson tell some of his favorite stories about many of the Tour's
All-Time Greats, including: Earl Anthony, Don Carter, Jason Couch,
Billy Hardwick, Jim Godman, Dick Ritger, Bob Strampe, Mike Lemongello,
Norm Duke, Bob Strampe and many, many more).
To order your copy of these popular CD's, click
here. |
