Bob Mathias's guestbook

Welcome to the Bobmathias.com guestbook. Feel free to post an entry!

Add guestbook entry

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Romel Mathias

Happy Father's Day Dad... sure do miss you. Love, Romel

Amanda Allen

Good to see the many changes you've made! Keep in touch! :)

jesse victor

I'm a student at Dartmouth College. Some of my friends here are named 'mathias,' and I was just wondering if they're possibly related to this Mathias, because they're good friends of mine and people I respect a good deal. I don't know if there's any way to even figure this out, but I was just wondering. Thanks!

patrick dunning

Trying to find the movie 'The Bob Mathias Story'- not on Ebay. My nephew just discovered he has track & field talent. He has dyslexia so need the movie.

Your grandfather was a great man. I attended his funeral. patrick dunning

Bob Lewis

Just obtained a copy of one of the books about him named Across Fields of Gold, I believe.

Great book! Great man! I'm proud to say I was a member of the Armed Forces (USAF) as he was.

The way he maintained his humility throughout all
of his fame is an example for all of us to follow today.

Thank you for this fine website.

Bob Lewis
Pearland, TX

Bob Jennings

Alex...You've done a good job with this website. I think of your grandpa every day. He was my hero and my close friend.

Bob

Ann Thaxter

I loved watching the videos. We in the San Joaquin Valley were so proud of Bob as an athlete and as a fine young man !

David Bernas

I remember my Grand mother talking about your grandfather her maiden name was Mathias and she lived in Mt Carmel,PA. She said that he was a cousin. But that when joined the military that she lost touch with him. She now Lives in Lancaster PA with my Parents.

Comment by
NULL
Lomita Armendariz

I was honored to meet Congressman Bob Mathias in Porterville CA when he was running for re-election. I had just turned 18 and it was going to be my first opportunity to vote in an election. It was a great pleasure to meet such a wonderful human being!

Comment by
NULL
Lila

Glad to find this site. My mother from Pittsburgh recently died. In going thru her papers, I found an 8x10 glossy of her uncle, a local sports writer. His name was Robert "Buzzy" Klingensmith. He is in the photo with a KISKI prep track member. In searching the web, I am guessing that it is Bob Mathias. Would you be interested in copy? Lila

Comment by
NULL
anthony

Bob was part of the good years that I remember so well.Very sad he is gone.A great athlete

Comment by
NULL
Abbie Kenyon

His story was very inspiring to me, and I thank the Lord for his gift of inspiration for his generation and for the next generation of athletes. You can be very proud of your grandfather and for the athletes that followed him.

Comment by
NULL
Barbara Cutshaw

So sorry to hear of Bob's passing,I have known him from way back building the Camp, my parents owned Snowline Lodge, I last heard from Bob in 2004 He will be greatly missed, Barbara

Comment by
NULL
barbara Cutshaw

Hello Bob, I had been wondering about you & how you are the e-mail address I have is not a good one. I am not living in Greece anymore the Olympics were great. Formerly Barbara Sulsberger

Comment by
NULL
Andy Aguilar

Proud to call Tulare home.

Comment by
NULL
Douglas Karstrom

I worked with Bob at the Colorado Springs training center. I was over the food services, still have a silver plated cake server he gave to me first day at the center. Bob was a man of his word and alway had a open ear to any one that needed to talk. He will be missed. Doug Karstrom

Comment by
NULL
Mark Evdemon

I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Bob Mathias in 1952 in Moshi, Tanzania. I mention him in my "memories" page..... http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/markpa/

Comment by
NULL
Leana

Hi, My grandmother was Bob's babysitter. I have a picture of her with Bob and his sister. Bob looks to be around 8 years old in the photograph. I can email you a scanned version, if you like. leanakcardoza@yahoo.com

Comment by
NULL
broj

I worked at the camp (Bob Mathias Sierra Boys/Girls Camp) summer of '72. I was a dishwasher, so I actually got to see the girls at the girls camp. Bob was getting a serious challenge for his Congress seat that year, so he was around more than in other summers, or so I was told by others who'd been there before. They showed The Bob Mathias Story and The Minotaur, both starring Bob & his wife, to each session of campers. I have a bit of a story about my time there at http://www.geocities.com/johns1952/skunks.htm.

Comment by
NULL
Bob Mathias

It's great to share the same name of such a legend.

Comment by
NULL
lili

An all around good guy. What a rewardful life he had and such amazing accomplishments.

Comment by
NULL
Union Students

tulare union loves u!!!

Comment by
NULL
Gonzalo Zamora

Bob was the man

Comment by
NULL
bob mathias

i have a story you might like to hear.i got a phone call in 1987 from some lady from the sullivan awards.i was living in indianapolis.she said is this bob mathias,i said yea,she said thee bob mathias,waitng a second and said yes well she got very excited said she thought i lived in the midwest but was not sure.she wanted me to speak at the awards.so after about ten minutes of information i asked her what is the sullivan awards.she thanked me for wasting her time.i was born in 1960 named after your grandfather. well that was my brush with greatness.i got the movie some years back. our name was originally spelled matthias take care bob mathias

Comment by
NULL
Pugsley

Alex, You did a great job with the video tribute to Bob!!! Thanks for posting it! Hope to see ya at the reunion.

Comment by
NULL
Bruce Mathias

Alex, thank you so much for doing this. Mowgli is right- The camps were a great leagacy. Most of my dreams are of my days at his summer camp. Thanks again. 831 685 8533

Comment by
NULL
Denis Nolan

Dear Alex, Thank you for taking on this web page. If I had a Beta machine I'd send it.... I can't wait to see more. Your mother is a beautiful lady. I knew her and her wonderful family when she was a girl. And I miss them all very much. God bless you! Denis

Comment by
NULL
Mowgli

I went to Bob Mathias Sierra Girls Camp every summer from 1969-1978. This camp is one of Bob's great legacies. He had a profoundly positive impact on the life of every child who attended. Bob is part of the very best part of us all.

Comment by
NULL
Rich Fischbeck

Hey Alex, Your grandfather was an awesome man! I was priveliged to be a camper from 1966-1972 then a counselor in 1973. Rich "GAF" Fischbeck. I live in Irvine Ca. 949 551 9002.

Comment by
NULL
Carla Caggiano Elkins

Camp alumni. Thanks for the 9 great years of memories. I owe much of who I am today to my camp experiences. A truly amazing man and hero.

Comment by
NULL
Chuck Ernst

Alex, I met your Grandfather in 1980 at the camp he once owned. I worked there several years and enjoyed every moment of it and the camp has played an important part of my life. Within the past few years we alumni started a camp reunion web site for staff, campers and families and we have had 2 large reunions at camp and several mini reunions throughout california. The latest reunion at camp was about 2 weeks after Bob's passing and it was quite an emotional time. we celebrated his life while sharing many memories. A couple of his closest friends were there. I have made a tribute to Bob on DVD and shared it with everyone who was there and Bob's wife has a copy as well. I would like to put it up on your site if possible. Anyway, I invite you to join the web site and go through the many messages left by past staff members regarding your Grandfather, I think it will touch your heart as it has with all of us. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Chuck

Comment by
NULL
Chris Terrence

Congratulations on doing the Bob Mathias website, Alex. I loved the two videos because they have such a great "feel" of Bob's spirit. Not only was your grandfather the incredible athlete that he is so famous for, but he was such a kind and great person. I was fortunate enough to meet Gwen and many of his friends and that was also a great measure of the man, by how much everyone loved him. Working with him on the Across the Fields of Gold book, was a great honor for me. What a great guy. Good luck and best wishes to you.

Comment by
NULL
David Phillips

Am doing some research for a book on former athletes who appeared in movies and since he was my favorite T&F of all time, thought I would start here.

Comment by
NULL
Philip Bourdon

Alex.....I have admired your grandfather for over 40 years..use that love and inspiration.....FINISH THE SITE!!! Philip Bourdon

Comment by
NULL
Rev. Ernest Long

I saw Bob Mathias at Stanford do an exhibition on hurdling he was magnificent

Comment by
NULL
cameron ross

i heard a tape your grand father gave at an amway convention. it made a great impression on me.i would love to be able to get a copy of it. thanks

Comment by
NULL
Barbara

Is there any way to get a copy of the movie "The Bob Mathias Story"? I've been searching online all night and I can't find it anywhere. Please let me know.

Comment by
NULL
steve Hughes

I met your grandfather several times during the '96 Olympics here in Atlanta. Our daughter was attending Stanford at the time, and when we introduced them a day later, Bob was so gracious and nice to her. Bob was my 1st idol when I was growing up in So. Ca. When I finally met him ( in my 50s ), I was still impressed!

Comment by
NULL
kenneth

i never knew bob but i know him as him being a champion. P.S. I NEED HELP ON MY HISTORY CAN YOU HELP ME FIND HISTORY ABOUT HIM.

Comment by
NULL
Jim Farrow

I'll never forget that moment I experienced in London.My other sports moment was hearing the PanAm capt announce the US Hockey team win as I was flying between India and London. Both proud moments for an American but Bob Mathias' tops my list.

Comment by
NULL
RICH PALLONETTI

BOB MATHIAS, YOUR GRANDPA, WAS MY INSPIRATION TO PARTICIPATE IN TRACK AND FIELD. I WENT ON TO POLE VAULT, BROADJUMP, AND RUN THE 1/4 MILE WITH SOME SUCCESS. I WISH I COULD HAVE TRIED THE DECATHALON, BUT THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT THAT WAY. READING HIS LIFE STORY AND SEEING HIM STAR IN HIS MOVIE WILL ALWAYS BE FOND MEMORIES. A GREAT MAN. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WITH HIS WEB SITE.--REGARDS, RICH PALLONETTI

Comment by
NULL
Sara Solomon

I miss my grandfather and because of all of the things that he did something always reminds me of him. For example I work out at the Air Force gym in Colorado Springs and they have all of the Olympic posters up on one wall. When even I walk by I look for '48 and '52 and remember him and all of the extraordinary things that he did. But most of all I remeber how great of a grandfather he was.

Comment by
NULL
Clayton Smith

Bob Mathias has been one of my heros since I was a teenager. I have been trying to find a movie he stared in called: It Started in Athens. Bob played the role of the young Greek who won the marathon in 1896. Netflix does not have it, but it is a movie worth showing.

Comment by
NULL
Dick Bashta

Hello Alex, Appreciated your grandfather much! He influenced me when I was young, with his wholesome movie "The Bob Mathias Story." I became a winning pole vaulter, now I'm a Pastor. How can I get a copy of that movie? Thanx Dick Bashta Crown Point, Indian

Comment by
NULL
SUSAN ALLEN

When I was a girl growing up, my brother and I attended Bob Mathias Sierra Boys and then also Girls Camp. I have so many wonderful memories from those years and had the priviledge of meeting him, and also seeing the movie about him! What a wonderful way to tribute such an incredible man.

Comment by
NULL
bill sullivan

I had an unusual event lately that involved Bob Mathias. I met Bob briefly at a B & B in Twain Harte, CA in early June of this year. Apparently him and his wonderful wife were in the area for a family wedding. He did not look very well, and later his wife explained he had just had some cancer treatment and felt weak. The next morning at the breakfast table, there were several people VERY interested in speaking with Bob, and later many were posing for pictures with him and his wife. I really didi not know who he was at the time, but the owner of the B&B said "Oh, that's Bob Mathias, one of the greatest athletes ever". Well, just last weekend I was in Incline with a group of friends and one had this wonderful story of how years ago he spent a weekend at Stanford as a football scholarship prospect. It was a very special weekend because he was hosted by Bob Mathias the entire weekend. He stayed at his faternity and was truly amazed with this man. Just wanted you to know that your grandfather touched many people in his life, and I'm lucky to have met him once.

Comment by
NULL
Brad Mandler

You are doing an important thing. Your grandfather was not only a rare and special athlete but, more importantly, a rare and special man.

Comment by
NULL
Sara Lee Anderson O'Connor

Great memories and a tribute to Stanford with his wonderful talent and contribution to the world's sports. My best to Melba. Sara Lee Anderson O'Connor

Comment by
NULL
Dana Shaw

Just about the coolest guy ever. Still can't believe that I met him before I even knew who he was, and then flipped out afterwards. hah, excellent man indeed.

Comment by
NULL
Gary Bastien

My name is Gary Bastien, back in 1983 I had the third highest decathlon score in the United States when Bob Mathias was the director of the U.S. Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. While we were staying there, Bob Mathias and his wife Gwen were gracious enough to invite all of the decathletes over to their house for dinner. To this day it is one of the highlights of my life and I am so glad they did that for us. (we had the top 10 U.S. decathletes at the training center at the time) When I was in 8th grade, in 1973 I came across a book in the Grandville library about Bob Mathias. Like Bob, I was from a small town too, and I could see that I had some of the same skills athletically to set out and try to be like Bob. You can imagine the thrill I had to be eating dinner in his house just 10 short years later, having reached my dream of being one of the best decathletes in the United States. I so thank you and Bob for opening your home to us. Gwen, thank you so much. And Bob thank you for being one of the last TRUE American heroes, drug free and modest in victory. Gwen, Bob signed one of those nice large posters that were painted of him and I have it here in my office. Down in the corner I have the picture with me, Bob, Harry Marra and Coach Bozeman. I will cherish it forever. Most importantly, I will continue to try to give to other kids the way Bob did, and only hope to have the modesty and dignity he displayed the short, yet precious time I got to know you and him can become part of who I am. I grieve for your loss and his passing. He touched so many people and really, Bob Mathias will live on forever. With all my deepest regrets, and thanks to Bob for inspiring me and paying for my college education. (via track scholarship) Gary Bastien Saline, Michigan 1983 Pan American Games team member and third place at Sr. Nationals, decathlon event

Comment by
NULL