BOB BACKUS- The Olympic torch Forever burning


  . In 1676, Isaac Newton wrote to Robert Hooke,"I f I have seen further it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants."
This story is about a friend of mine who was a giant of body and character who passed on in 1999. I hope you like it. It was first published in the Assoc. of Old Time Barbell and Strongmen Newsletter


The strength world was saddened on June 30th 1999 by the passing of Bob Backus who succumbed to a lengthy illness at age 72. Backus, a Tufts graduate, competed in the hammer throw in the 1952 Olympics. He was also Pan American champion in the same event in 1955. Bob will also be remembered for an extraordinary career in weight throwing.
     He held the world record in the 56lb. weight throw from 1954 to 1965. After finishiing this reign with a toss of 46ft. 6in., he had garnered 9 national titles!  He was equally proficient in the 35lb. weight throw. Here Backus accrued 8 national titles and held the world record from 1954 to 1960 finishing with a distance of 68ft. 2in.
     In a survey conducted of track and field coaches in April of 1982 by the Mobil Oil Co., Backus was selected as the greatest weight thrower of all time. He was also mentioned in strength historian, David P. Willoughby's book The Super Athletes.
     Bob Backus mentored and befriended true kings of strength in his Pembroke, Ma. gymnasium such as Dave Draper, Ken Patera, Harold Connolly, George Frenn and Steve Sanderson.
     The one quality of Bob Backus that this writer will most remember, however, was that Bob had a sincere and genuine enthusiasm for even the smallest gain made by the youngest neophyte at his gym. Bob would be every bit as delighted with a 5lb. gain made by a youngster as he was by a 100lb. increase made by many of the saurians who trained under his auspices.
     This caring and enthusiasm is a special kind of love which has stayed with me and countless others ever since. In this way, Bob's spirit will live forever.

"Out of the strong, came what is sweet". Samson from Judges 14:14