Bob Backus

Robert ("Bob") Hudson Backus (July 11, 1926 – June 30, 1999) was an American track and field athlete who set world records in the hammer throw.

[2] At 6 feet, 5 inches in height and 160 pounds, Backus was rejected by the United States Army Air Forces' cadet program as he was deemed too thin.

[1] July 1971 Backus (M40) competed at the 4th Annual Masters Outdoor National Championship placing 2nd to Howard Payne in the HT.

In February 1978, a 51-year-old Backus came in second in an otherwise uneventful 35-pound weight throw at the Open AAU National Indoor Championship held at Madison Square Garden.

[5] Backus died at age 72 on June 30, 1999, at Boston's Vencor Hospital, having suffered a stroke in December 1998 and been in poor health for several years before his death.