Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Magnus_manhammer_esq t1_jc4i2hd wrote

Hey all,

I was fortunate enough to know Dick over the past year or so, by total happenstance, in a professional context. I was never a track and field athlete, and did not know who Dick "was" until somewhat recently.

In case anyone is curious, Dick Fosbury was one of the most intelligent, knowledgeable, and kind-hearted people I've ever had the privilege of working with. I knew him, essentially, as a city engineer and county commissioner, and his depth of knowledge on engineering, policy, and his love of the Idaho wilderness was second to none.

Most importantly, he was humble and kind. I was somewhat shocked to learn that he had any reputation, at all, let alone the possibility that he may have been "important to a sport" in any way.

I will miss working with him, and I hope that his humility, kindness, and dedication to helping others never goes unlooked. You occasionally meet someone that you know, immediately, is a "cut above" the rest of us, and Dick was that guy.

Rest easy, Dick.

948

pescabrarian t1_jc5a9q0 wrote

I live in Bellevue and have had the pleasure of interacting with Dick from my years at the city of Bellevue. He was a really nice guy. Like you said, he was humble, intelligent, funny and always kind. Gold medal of a human. He'll be greatly missed in Blaine County.

67

HooliganBeav t1_jc5cg3y wrote

My dad was a good friend of his (ran track together at Oregon State). He was such a great ambassador for the sport and one of the nicest guys I ever met.

35

hyperbemily t1_jc6jlm9 wrote

He’s always been one of the alum I’m proudest of, as a fellow beaver.

8

iamcraigman t1_jc5lym5 wrote

I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times at track meets. I will echo what everyone else has said about his humility and kindness.

He rather talked about the outdoors or engineering or politics before track, but he was quick to offer tips to the jumpers if he saw them struggling or needing a nudge.

I also found out that his favorite snow cone flavor was peach with a hint of tiger's blood on top.

22

DasbootTX t1_jc5liz2 wrote

Thank you for this. As a youth in the 70s, Wide World of Sports and the Olympics were always watched. I remember watching the Foz win. AND I remember his burger commercials where her turned it upside down. Thank you for sharing an idea of this man’s life. It gives me hope that we’ll be ok

8

howweusedtowas t1_jc6x2ht wrote

My pops worked for him at for a few years and man he was such a kind soul. If you worked up in the valley everyone loved him and how much e cares for this area.

4