Bowling Legend Pluckhahn dies at 84
11/20/08
Bowling lost another giant Nov. 18 with the passing of Bruce Pluckhahn.
John Bruce Pluckhahn, 84, died after a long stay at the Catholic Home in Milwaukee. He had been in a coma since Nov. 14.
The Wauwatosa, Wis. native was a giant in the public relations field of bowling and was honored for his efforts with election to the ABC Hall in 1989 for his work with the American Bowling Congress and as the first curator of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
Pluckhahn joined the ABC public relations staff in 1953 after working in the newspaper field at Wausau (Wis.) and Dayton (Ohio). The University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate became ABC PR director in 1957 following the death of Eli Whitney, who hired him.
He served as executive director of the ABC Hall of Fame board from 1957-76 when he stepped out of the ABC position to become museum curator. He moved to St. Louis to help create the bowling museum. He traveled the world seeking bowling memorabilia, and much of what appears in the shrine was collected by his doggedness to convince people that their treasures should be put on display.
Pluckhahn worked for Frank Baker during ABC's golden years and he was given free reign to help expand the sport's attraction to the public. He was a strong supporter of the Professional Bowlers Association during its creation in 1959 and was close friends with many of the game's greats including Dick Weber and Don Carter.
Pluckhahn is survived by his wife Rosemary, daughter Susan and four sons John, Bill, Bob and Charlie. Memorial arrangements are pending.
United States
Bowling lost another giant Nov. 18 with the passing of Bruce Pluckhahn. John Bruce Pluckhahn, 84, died after a long stay at the Catholic Home in Milwaukee. He had been in a coma since Nov. 14.
The Wauwatosa, Wis. native was a giant in the public relations field of bowling and was honored for his efforts with election to the ABC Hall in 1989 for his work with the American Bowling Congress and as the first curator of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
Pluckhahn joined the ABC public relations staff in 1953 after working in the newspaper field at Wausau (Wis.) and Dayton (Ohio). The University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate became ABC PR director in 1957 following the death of Eli Whitney, who hired him.
He served as executive director of the ABC Hall of Fame board from 1957-76 when he stepped out of the ABC position to become museum curator. He moved to St. Louis to help create the bowling museum. He traveled the world seeking bowling memorabilia, and much of what appears in the shrine was collected by his doggedness to convince people that their treasures should be put on display.
Pluckhahn worked for Frank Baker during ABC's golden years and he was given free reign to help expand the sport's attraction to the public. He was a strong supporter of the Professional Bowlers Association during its creation in 1959 and was close friends with many of the game's greats including Dick Weber and Don Carter.
Pluckhahn is survived by his wife Rosemary, daughter Susan and four sons John, Bill, Bob and Charlie. Memorial arrangements are pending.