Bob Leonard | |
---|---|
Born | Olds, Alberta | October 16, 1941
Died | January 9, 2016 | (aged 74)
Occupation(s) | Photographer, ring announcer |
Years active | 1936 – 1989, photography |
Known for | Photographer, writer, wrestling promotor |
Bob Leonard (October 16, 1941 – January 9, 2016), was a Canadian professional wrestling promoter, photographer, ring announcer, and author.[1][2] During his career in the professional wrestling industry he spent three decades as the perennial photographer for Stampede Wrestling.
Biography
[edit]Leonard was born in Olds, Alberta but spent most his life in Regina, Saskatchewan.[3]
Referred to by journalist Dave Meltzer as the number one pro wrestling historian of the 70s and 80s he was a multi-tasking employee of Stampede Wrestling who worked on several aspects of the promotion in backstage roles[4] and in many capacities on screen[5] but was most acknowledged for his longtime work as a photographer of matches.[6][7][8] He has been credited as having made landmark contributions toward the understanding of professional wrestling.[9][10]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]- Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2005[11]
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Men's Wrestling Award (2007)[12]
- High Impact Wrestling Canada
- HIW Hall of Fame (Class of 2014)[13][14]
- Stampede Wrestling
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kreiser, Jamie (May 18, 2005). "Who is Bob Leonard?". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (April 3, 2016). "Goodbye and thank you, Bob Leonard". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Kreiser, Jamie (May 18, 2005). "Who is Bob Leonard?". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (January 8, 2005). "The tragic end of Freddie Sweetan". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Meltzer, David (January 18, 2016). "Mike Sharpe and Bob Leonard pass away, Nakamura". f4wonline.com. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Vanstone, Rob (January 29, 2016). "Bob Leonard was Regina's Mr. Wrestling". Leader-Post. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Eck, Kevin (July 3, 2008). "Transcript of Bret Hart's Hall of Fame speech". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Stampede Wrestling". Archived from the original on 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
- ^ KENYON, J MICHAEL (July 7, 2010). "The history of wrestling "historians"". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (November 28, 2016). "Saskatchewan's gifts to wrestling were Leonard and Cozman". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. April 3, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
- ^ Staff. "List of CAC Award Winners". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Buckler, David (August 5, 2014). "Canadian legend to be inducted into the HIW HOF this Thursday". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Buckler, David (August 4, 2014). "Bob Leonard inducted into the HIW HOF this Thursday". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Whalen, Ed (host) (December 15, 1995). "Stampede Wrestling Builders". Showdown at the Corral: A Tribute to Stu Hart. Event occurs at 40:00. Shaw Cable. Calgary 7.
Further reading
[edit]- Leonard, Bob (November 6, 2001), Helen Hart: A friend's recollection, Canoe.com