Written by Ron Harris
26 December 2019

 

 

2019 Tribute to Those We Lost

by Ron Harris

 

 

We are all on this planet for a limited time, and in 2019 we lost some very special people from our sport and industry. Though they are now gone, they will never be forgotten.

 

Franco Columbu

On Friday, August 30, we suddenly said goodbye to one of the few living legends of bodybuilding. Franco Columbu died at the age of 78 while swimming off the coast of San Teadoro in his native Sardinia while there visiting. Immortalized in the 1975 film Pumping Iron along with his best friend and training partner Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco would go on to win two Mr. Olympia titles of his own in 1976 and 1981. Columbu served as a special inspiration for those aspiring bodybuilders not gifted with height, as he stood just 5-5 in contrast to the 6-2 Schwarzenegger, yet was usually the last man standing on the Mr. Olympia stage for the Overall posedown with Arnold after winning the under-200-pounds division. Franco was also renowned for his astounding strength. Not only was he powerful in conventional terms as in his 700-pound deadlift at 185 pounds, but he also staged strength exhibitions in which he performed old strongman feats such as blowing up hot water bottles to bursting and bending iron bars in his mouth. Franco was a finalist in the first World’s Strongest Man contest in 1977, but suffered a horrific knee injury while running with a refrigerator on his back. He followed up his successful bodybuilding career with an equally rewarding second career as a chiropractor, practicing in Los Angeles.

 

Ed Corney was another star of Pumping Iron. His scene squatting with Arnold became an iconic example of true training intensity, and his posing style that combined power and grace would serve as inspiration for generations that followed. One of the most famous lines in the documentary was when Arnold, admiring his routine during judging proclaimed, ‘That’s posing!’ Ed’s titles included Mr. America, Mr. Universe, twice runner-up in the lightweight class at the Mr. Olympia, and back-to-back wins of the Over 60 class at the Masters Olympia in 1996 and 1997. He passed at the age of 85 on January 1.

 

Jeff Everson died at the age of 68 in February. Jeff was best known as the former husband of six-time Ms. Olympia Cory Everson, but his own accomplishments in powerlifting, bodybuilding, and journalism were significant. Jeff was the editor of Muscle and Fitness magazine for several years and went on to launch his own magazine, Planet Muscle. Jeff was always able to inject humor into his writing, which made him one of the most entertaining authors in the industry.

 

Perhaps the most tragic death in 2019 was that of bodybuilder, prep coach, and supplement company owner Matt Porter in May at only 34 years old. He left behind his wife Rachel Prince-Porter and their son Noah, who was less than a year old at the time of his passing. To all who knew him, Matt was equally brilliant and generous with his time and knowledge.

 

And in August, former IFBB and WBF Pro bodybuilder David Death died at the age of 56 of a heart attack while in the hospital for surgery to remove abscesses. David was known in Vince McMahon’s short-lived WBF organization as ‘The Rock and Roll Wild Child,’ an apt moniker according to those who knew David and his larger-than-life personality. His friend Rick Collins, Esq, composed a moving tribute to him you can read HERE. 

 

Last but not least was a champion who we lost back on January 5, Daryl Stafford of Georgia, who passed away of a heart attack at age 59. Daryl began competing at the Nationals as a middleweight in 1984. In 1987 he won the Light-heavyweight class at the USA Championships where the Overall went to Mike Quinn, and was runner-up that fall to Overall champ Shawn Ray at the Nationals. In 1993 he earned his pro status. His best showing in the pro ranks was third place at the 2003 Masters Olympia, but Daryl was widely known for his beautiful shape, symmetry, and proportions – a frontrunner of the Classic Physique division that would arrive years later.

MD offers its condolences to the friends and family of all these men, who each contributed to the sport and industry in their own way, and whose memories will live on in our hearts. They will all be missed.

 

 

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