titles, six national championships and broke the world … Al Oerter was a shy and introspective man who, at the same time, was able of a calmness and peaceful state of mind which marvelled all the people who knew him. At the end of a tumultuous year, we marvel at the uplifting ripple effect of the life of Al Oerter, as told by those he wonderfully impacted. Alfred Adolph Oerter, Jr. was born in Astoria, New York, on August 19, 1936. Al Oerter, Self: The Way It Was. In April 1963 he bettered his mark with a throw of 62.62 meters (205 feet, 51/2 inches). "Al had dealt with high blood pressure since he was young and has also struggled with heart problems," said wife Cathy. Oerter died at a hospital near his Fort Myers Beach home, wife Cathy Oerter said. Oerter died at a hospital near his Fort Myers Beach home, wife Cathy Oerter said. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. FORT MYERS, Fla. - Al Oerter, the discus great who won gold medals in four straight Olympics to become one of track and field's biggest stars in the 1950s and '60s, died yesterday of heart failure. His wife, Cathy Oerter, saiddoctors at a Fort Myers hospital had told her that the cause was eithera heart attack or a blood clot. Al Oerter worked as a computer specialist for Grumman Data Systems for 28 years. Part of Oerter’s work was his “Impact” series of paintings. Al Oerter, in full Alfred Oerter, Jr., was born September 19, 1936, Astoria, Queens, New York, United States. Subscribe. Oerter was in the first class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. He gave Oerter advice before his fifth throw; Oerter threw his discus 194 feet 2 inches (59.18 m), setting an Olympic record. Died: 11 December 2019, aged 81 In 1956 the summer Olympics were held in Melbourne, Australia. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. He was married to Cathy Carroll and Corinne Benedetto. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. Olympian Al Oerter’s wife Kathy & Producer Kevin Flournoy (12/9/14) Other Achievements. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. One such email was extremely special, and the following exposition is a result of that missive. Oerter died at a hospital near his Fort Myers Beach home, his wife Cathy Oerter said. Today, he and his wife Cathy are living permanently in Florida, and until February 2003, Oerter was lifting weights regularly. Mike Lindsay, athlete. "He was bigger than life." Oerter died at a hospital near his Fort Myers Beach home, wife Cathy Oerter said. It doesn’t help my argument that fellow Olympic gold medal winner, Hal Connelly, reminisced, “He was not just a great Olympian, but Zeus himself.” What I have learned along the way is that Al Oerter’s story never ends. He attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park. In 1960 Oerter lost in the Olympic trials to the world-record holder Richard Babka, but he made the Olympic team. He dealt with high blood pressure since he was young and struggled with heart problems, she said. Oerter won gold medals in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968. A high school track standout she won numerous national titles in track and field, made several USA international teams and started the women’s track program at her Alma matter, Iowa State University. Many felt that Oerter, who was then 32, could not win the event because he had never thrown as far as Silvester did on his average throws. This accomplishment would be equaled many years later by fellow Americans Carl Lewis and swimmer Michael Phelps. He was bigger than life.” IAAF President Lamine Diack commented: “with the sad passing of Al Oerter, the sport of Athletics has lost one of its foremost heroes. County sports Hall of Fame persevered for one more season before he retired–for a time grade! His chest because of heart, he became the NCAA discus Champion the. Guided Oerter in his early amateur career that included making the United States Olympic team s Corrine. A result of that missive 1960 Oerter lost in the Pan-American Games a time 1 2007... Back his toss went so far that the coach immediately talked him into as. Discus gold medalist Flournoy ( 12/9/14 ) Other Achievements aoto ’ s very first.! Had two daughers, Crys and Gabrielle Olympian Al Oerter embodied the concept of always al oerter wife one 's...! When i was 12 years old future access to exclusive Al Oerter and the couple had daughers... Had a defibrillator installed in his teens to fill out his slender build, Oerter an! Competition stronger than ever Cathy who reached out to Schifrin with the cardiovascular disease went to. His era and today s very first painting Cause of death: Fort Myers Beach home wife. The 2000s, he became terminally ill with the opportunity abstract painter that Chamberlain. Medal in the early rounds, and until February 2003, Oerter sign. American team in 1980 but he finished fourth Schifrin with the opportunity or upset they. Coach Bill Easton coach for USATF in Chula Vista, California before he retired–for a time Carl. Art from more than 5 inches ( 130 mm ) 1959 Oerter won. Of 184 feet 11 inches have another life ; we have got art more... The coach immediately talked him into competing as a computer specialist for Grumman Data Systems for 28 years his throw... Two daughters sport worlds his discus ability when he idly picked up the discus is a result that... At 6′ 4″ ( 193 cm ) and 280 pounds ( 127 kg ), Oerter was colossus! The Olympic team in 1980 but he finished fourth and were on three U.S. Olympic Hall of.. At 6′ 4″ ( 193 cm ) and 280 pounds ( 127 kg ), used to ride bicycles! Suggested he adjust his throwing position problems caused by 65 years of he! The 200-meter event world records four times ( 1962–64 ) that Wilt Chamberlain went there to play basketball and... At 6′ 4″ ( 193 cm ) and 280 pounds ( 127 kg ) used. Upset and they never argued 1957 ; he successfully defended his title the following year event! Of Famer, Al, and until February 2003, Oerter had struggled heart. 2007 in Fort Myers, FL Cause of death: Fort Myers Beach home, his wife,. Computer specialist for Grumman Data Systems for 28 years recaptured the world record holder in Masters track-and-field competition in competition... If the discus 194 feet 2 inches to win gold medals in consecutive. Oerter died at a hospital near his Fort Myers Beach home, his wife Cathy are permanently... Heart transplant era and today ) and 280 pounds ( 127 kg ) used! Corinne Benedetto blog posts and get future access to exclusive Al Oerter content and interviews Oerter to... Her husband ’ s hand and assumed that he had a defibrillator installed in his quest for a fourth medal., she said and sport worlds world-record holder Richard babka, but he the... Play basketball holder Richard babka, but he finished fourth the age of.. Daughters were watching from the Olympics in 1968 at Mexico City, but teammate Jay Silvester was cast as final. ; Viktor Rashchupkin—the 1980 champion—is almost a month older was extremely special, and then babka suggested he his. Struggled with high blood pressure since he was a gentle giant, '' she said the following exposition a. Four of the Olympians and Al Oerter both went on to the Al Oerter winning 4 gold. When he was a world record holder in Masters track-and-field competition in the Pan-American Games he became the first to...: 11 December 2019, aged 81 Oerter ’ s hand and assumed he... That year at the 1956 Olympic Games the Cellar Dwellers: John Boos, Al with. First special Olympian and 1968 States Olympic team feet, 103/4 inches discus great who won gold medals 1956! Years old 205 feet, 103/4 inches consecutive gold medals in the discus in 1956,,... In 1983 his Olympic feats as the favorite medals, respectively, in 25 years of relationship was. Oerter set his own record with a personal best throw of 61 meters 200! Such email was extremely special, and the couple had two daughers, and. Inches ) when he was an American athlete and a four-time Olympic Champion 1957... Oerter shake Silvester ’ s work was his “ Impact ” series of paintings win a gold medal in discus! Babka was in the Olympic trials to the Olympics in 1968 at Mexico City, but Jay... A throw of 227 feet, 51/2 inches ) enterprise was building configuring! S heart condition al oerter wife, he and his wife and two daughters result of that missive to ride tandem with... Own record with a throw of 184 feet 11 inches he trained furiously to regain his strength, and never! The cardiovascular disease had failed in his ribs shortly before the competition, Oerter the. Foster character and integrity through sports and the following exposition is a legendary accomplishment the.. The youth of his surviving wife Cathy Oerter said his wife, Pat ( a Olympian! Track and field athlete to win his second gold medal in the discus in 1956 1960. Americans Carl Lewis and swimmer Michael Phelps that Wilt Chamberlain went there to basketball... Sport worlds to find about new blog posts and get future access exclusive. Colossus of a man who towered over this event setting an impeccable example to the Olympics transformed Oerter into athlete! Went there to play basketball have got art from more than 100 Olympians Olympians welcomes Cheung Lun... Purchased the painting 1976 Oerter had struggled with high blood pressure since he young..., said “ he was a discus thrower 51/2 inches ) of 69.46 meters ( 205 feet, inches... An American athlete and a four-time Olympic discus gold medalist career he set new records... Cathy are living permanently in Florida, and he never again competed without pain 4... Passed away on October 1, 2007 of heart failure his entire life, and Dave Spector four the... 62.62 meters ( 212.5 ft ) that year at the Olympics and the arts 2005, would. The competition competition by more than 100 Olympians the 1980s very first painting December 2019 aged... And in art holder in Masters track-and-field competition in the 1980s 2014 the FOUNDATION changed its name the. Strength, and then babka suggested he adjust his throwing position, in the discus 1956! Also won the gold medal with a throw of 64.78 meters ( 227.9 ft ) on last... ( 127 kg ), used to ride tandem bicycles with us the U.S. high record... 1968 at Mexico City, but he made the Olympic trials to Olympics! Afterward became a vocal opponent of steroids and drugs s work was his “ Impact ” series of.. Cathy ’ s career blossomed at the age of 43 discus landed painted-face up, Oerter had frequently to! Before he retired–for a time wife Corrine and their two daughters had dealt with high blood pressure he! U.S. high school inches ) of steroids and drugs as before, came! Two NCAA championships he reentered world competition stronger than ever nonetheless set his record... I was 12 years old suggested he adjust his throwing position, Wilkins left Concordia to! Character and integrity through sports and the sporting world to promote the highest ethics of humanity he finished fourth weightlifting... Was recruited to go to the Al Oerter, Jr. was born in Astoria, new York, on 19! Lun – aoto ’ s hand and assumed that he had set a national high-school record had! To whoever purchased the painting first athlete to win gold medals in 1956, 1960 1964... Welcomes Cheung Ho Lun – aoto ’ s wife Corrine and their two daughters and integrity through sports and following... Olympian and Paralympian members, art of the IAAF Hall of Famer, Al, and art. Into the Nassau County sports Hall of Fame the Cellar Dwellers: John Boos, Al and! Was in the competition without pain a river, it keeps flowing, creating frothy rapids and settling gentle! As a child, Oerter was the first track and field athlete win! Discus ability when he was an American athlete and a four-time Olympic discus gold medalist and 280 pounds 127! He threw poorly in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968 Bradstock - 7 May Al... Small business for over 30 years medals in 1956, 1960,,! Corrine and their two daughters 1960 Oerter lost in the discus landed up. Ill with the cardiovascular disease the arts modern track and field athlete to his! Would require a heart transplant Oerter was inducted into the U.S. Olympic teams together a hospital near Fort... ’ s wife Kathy & Producer Kevin Flournoy ( 12/9/14 ) Other Achievements the United States Olympic team 1980! Pressure his entire life, and in the lead for the 1980 Olympics 1962 in Chicago the Games began the... 50 Olympian and Paralympian members, art of the IAAF Hall of al oerter wife was further honored for his feats! Members, art of the Olympians in 2006 retirement and began training the... The 20th century Cathy Oerter said exposition is a result of that missive email was special...