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(Editor's note: Nancy wanted me to mention that the service was taped. For anyone who would like to see the DVD or borrow a copy, e-mail Nancy at: nkwoods7@prodigy.net.)
The service for Wally Strosnider was held on Sunday June 22nd and was a real who's who of the St. Louis iron scene. The big names were many and one by one, most all shared stories of Wally. What a reunion it was, only Wally would be able to draw so many of the old lifters.
The leadoff hitter for the lifters was George Huber, The voice of the Missouri USAPL. George, like Wally, is a lifting artifact in St. Louis, going back to the early 1970's. He was a competitive weightlifter and powerlifter that has some very deep roots in our lifting history, which has contributed to him easily being the best meet announcer I've ever heard. The smooth talking, eloquent Huber told some stories of when he and Wally met 30 years ago and especially lightened the mood when he included the story about the giant blue couch Wally gave him for his first apartment. George ended with describing what the three white lights meant on the powerlifting scoreboard off to the left, and then said that Wally lived a three white light type of life.
There was Don Stock, who knew Wally for over 26 years. Don, like the rest of the crowd on hand, had served his time under plenty of iron through the years. He has since lost the clean shaven head he sported when he worked as "Niko the Russian" in his pro wrestling days and now has a much longer beard. His large frame is still there though, but he walks with a slower gait, a cain, and has dealt with a few health problems over the years. Although his appearance is much different nowadays, he is still as personable, warm and freindly as ever. It was good to see Don since I hadn't seen him in many years. Don gave a refreshing eulogy remarking how through the years nobody has ever been able to come up with anything derogatory about Wally. So true.
Bench-maestro Ron Serra also went up to give his thoughts on Wally. Ron has been a 500 lb. bencher for what seems like forever and trained with Wally on and off over the years. Like Wally, Ron is the type of person that has people gravitating to him for advice on lifting. He sort of has his own unsolicited flock of North County lifters that have came to him for quite a bit of help. No doubt Wally's actions in giving to Ron have contributed to Ron being the giving person he is when it comes to helping so many.
T-shirt Dave was also in for the service from Texas. Most everyone has seen the dazzling artwork on the shirts worn by Team Strosnider, but what might not be known is who has drawn all of these eye catching pieces of work. It's Dave Marzelek, who goes all the way back to 1977 with Wally. Dave was such a great artist that he was even looked at by one of the major comic books (Either DC or Marvel, I can't remember) several years back. It's no wonder, with all the practice he had drawing Wally and the gang. In this author's opinion, his best work was the knock off of the World Gym logo. Instead of the typical ape sitting atop the globe holding the barbell, it shows the primate tied up with a rope below, while Wally is sitting on the Earth with the bar. It appears that the word "Wally" has even been spray painted at the top near WORLD, so that it reads "Wally WORLD GYM." Dave's talents with the pencil are out of this world. It was not uncommon to see people wearing Wally World T-shirts over thier ties at the service.
Jim Bell gave a touching eulogy as well. Jim goes back to about 1985 with Wally and has the distinction of being one of the few Wally World lifters that competes in full, three lift meets. Of course this had always caused him a lot of greif down at the gym as Wally and the boys would playfully hand it out to Jim at will. I first met these two in 1986 and they were the best of freinds over the years. Especially entertaining was the story Jim gave of Wally and his Air Jordans, and how he announced that they would be the new "Wally World Team Shoes".
 By far the most gripping and the saddest speech in my opinion wasn't issued by a family member, but by George Turner. For the few who are unfamiliar with Turner, he is to St. Louis lifting and bodybuilding what Chuck Berry is to Rock and Roll. Turner started training in 1942 and started in the gym business in 1950. He owned several gyms in our area and even worked in California with the Tanneys, like as in Vic Tanney. Still fit and looking great, George is probably the baddest 76 year old around. This guy has a reputation of being full of piss n' vinegar with a penchant of saying what is on his mind. As George told it, Wally worked for him decades ago at one of his gyms. It was interesting to hear George tell of Wally and he discussing the idea of Wally taking his job at LHI. As George said, he told Wally... "You have all of these people skills and are good at teaching them to lift, you should do this Wally...but you have much more to offer than teaching them how to lift weights..." George then went on to tell how much of a humanitarian Wally was, and how different he was from all of the others that worked for him. Let me tell you, it was a real tear jerker and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. George opened up and told us how throughout his life he sometimes hadn't been so nice, and that Wally was never at any point unkind to anyone. He said when Wally left to go work at LHI that he thanked him for everything. Working through the tears, George fought to tell that it was not him him taught Wally something, but Wally who had taught him how to live and treat people. As George stated, "I've had to do this 10-15 times over the years and it hurts. You love these kids like they're your own." It was a heart-felt eulogy that hit home with all of us.
Not all of those present to pay their respects were from St. Louis though. Wally's good friend Dr. Darrell Latch from Matoon, IL was on hand for the service as well. Darrell puts on small time meets held in gyms nearly everyweekend of the year, throughout several states. As Darrell said, Wally was all about having fun and was a really good to his family as they got to know one another over the years. Particularly entertaining was his story about the hole in the wall bar-b-q place in Paducah, KY where they all shared a meal.
Other big names that were on hand included Matt Whalig. Most of the lifters in todays meets probably don't know Matt, but he put on some super benchpress meets in the 1980's and early 90's. He promoted the Biggest Bench in the Midwest and it was great to see him again. All in all, he was able to raise over $11,000 from his meets for the United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA). Very commendable. Of course the men in blue were also there. The Strong arms of the law Bill McDonough and Brian Dolan were there and not surprisingly, were deeply affected by the loss of thier coach. He thought the world of these guys and rightly so. They are great people and a pleasure to be around.
Other heavy hitters included Super Heavyweight lifter Vae Mafuli; current bench specialists Greg Chrun and Jim Bourisaw; National Meet Director Dr. Mike Cissell; Master lifter Sam Greco and so many more that I didn't see on Saturday.
Wally's family, like Wally, were witty and had a great sense of humor. All spoke
and al did very well under such a difficult time. Wally's brother, Bruce Strosnider, wanted to extend his sincere thanks to everyone who showed such compassion for the family through all of this. The invitation was also extended to Bruce to continue writing articles at Wally's Place. All in all Wally had a beautiful service that would have made him proud.
Rick Fowler
Missouri USAPL Chairman
webmaster USAPLNationals.com
[Wally Strosinder Memorial Page]
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