Missouri Wrestling Revival

By MWR Editor Brian Kelley

Former wrestler, promoter, NWA President, and the 2011 MWR Lifetime Achievement recipient Bob Geigel has passed away at the age of 90.

Geigel was an amateur wrestling standout that would later team up with the 8-time NWA World Champion Harley Race to deliver years of memories in and out of the ring in the Central States area, promoting cards while starring in main events.

In 2011, MWR’s Dubray Tallman and I were honored to present Geigel with the 2011 MWR Lifetime Achievement award at his home as a guest of him and his wife Vera. That day will forever go down as one of the highlights of my wrestling involvement.  Geigel took the time to give me a tour of his home filled with photos and mementos, along with stories on each one of them.

We were able to share a couple of hours of enjoyment talking to Bob and Vera about family and wrestling. I also asked for his approval to be a part of the MWR Trading card set with artwork by Rob Schamberger (who had done the artwork for Bob’s plaque). Before I left, he gave me a pocket knife as a gift (that I have in my collection to this day). He told me that though he was just under 90, he kept busy with a job that he had to go to that afternoon, but appreciated the plaque.  I left the house forever grateful of the kindness that he showed throughout the day.

Though Mr. Geigel has passed away, it is refreshing to know that he was loved by his family, had a phenomenal career in the wrestling ring, and found the love of his life in Vera.

We send our condolences to the family and friends of Bob Geigel.