Details set for Celebration of Life for Werner Holzer in Fallbrook, Calif. on December 8
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by Steve Combs
To Friends and Wrestling Associates of Werner Holzer:
Werner Holzer passed away on Monday, October 29.
His family is doing well and look forward to visiting with you at a Celebration of Life for Werner to be held Saturday, December 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. in Fallbrook, CA (approximately 60 miles/one hour drive north of San Diego).
The schedule is very open and relaxed. You will be able to come and go as your time allows. However. at 3 p.m. there will be a formal presentation of the Olympic flag from Olympians attending the ceremony and a few designated speakers.
If you are planning to come please send a message to that affect to stevencombs1941@gmail.com so we can get a count on how many friends to expect. The final meeting facility in the Fallbrook area will be determined by the number of attending guests and you will be notified of the specific location.
If you can not make it, we’d appreciate you sending a personal letter to Dottie Holzer at 39262 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 or an e-mail message to Werner’s son Eric Holzer at holzeref@gmail.com.
Your written thoughts and experiences about Werner will be a great family treasure for years to come. If you have any pictures please include them with your e-mail. Eric is putting together a slide presentation of his father’s life.
If you would like to make a donation on behalf of Werner, please contact the MAKE A WISH website (Wish.org) and follow the instructions to make a memorial donation. Werner and his wife Dottie have been life long supporters and aid givers to young children.
Hope to see you at the Celebration of Life and remember, “no one is gone as long as they are in our hearts and minds!”
Obituary - Werner P. Holzer
September 23, 1937 - October 29, 2018
This is the story of Werner Peter Holzer. Werner was a wonderful family man who was cherished by many, is missed, and will always be remembered for his principles and integrity.
Werner began his life on September 23, 1937, to immigrant parents, Michael and Eva Holzer. His father was a fine tailor by trade but made a living in Chicago as a tenement building manager where the children played in the open atrium of the building. “Mike” set a no excuses, hard work ethic, example for the family while Eva created a loving home environment based on rules with humor.
Werner, and his brothers, Mike, Frank, and Don remained lifelong supporters of each other’s endeavors. Trips to their great aunt’s farm in Illinois were highlights growing up.
After his brother, Mike, introduced him to wrestling, his love of the sport at a young age worked into a talent and as Werner graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1955 with a State championship under his belt, he earned a wrestling scholarship to the University of Illinois. He became the first person in his family to go to college and he graduated from U of I with a degree in Business.
Werner met his wife, Dottie, in Southern California where she was a flight attendant and they married in 1962. The church, love, and humor played a large part in their 56 year marriage. They now have six children and eight grandchildren living coast to coast.
A notorious chocolate ice cream enthusiast, Werner and the best-man from his wedding, Frosty Devor, were known to walk the Huntington and Manhattan Beach strands in California with a pint each after a wrestling workout.
Werner worked in some form of sales his entire life including selling pots and pans in California in the early 1960s, industrial gases out of Chicago, Illinois for Airco, his own carpet company under the name Carpet Forest in Chicago, Illinois, and real estate in Illinois and Colorado (residential, commercial, and industrial). So tenacious for his seller-customers, that he once spent five years, and compelled a literal act of Congress, to complete the sale of an industrial property in Denver.
Frequent camping trips that began with tent camping and graduated to spoiling the crew with a camper included a favorite where Werner and Dottie packed up the car and camper, and asked the kids which direction to go. Eventually the family ended up in Door County, Wisconsin on a holiday weekend without a reservation. Not to worry. Werner’s personality, negotiation skills, and knack for finding something in common with pretty much anyone landed the family in a farmer’s field of wild strawberries which created a most delicious and memorable trip.
Werner did life right! He lived the passion of his favorite sport, and loved family, friends, the outdoors, and the church. He loved being involved in sports and seemed to excel effortlessly in each: water skiing, snow skiing, backyard football, picnic sports games, swimming, diving, and of course wrestling. Choosing to lead by example in athletics as well as life, Werner circumspectly encouraged all of his children to participate in athletic activities of their choice and to tenaciously follow their own paths to success.
A man of principles, Werner consciously dedicated one-on-one time to each of his six children, participating in father-son and father-daughter youth groups. Werner and his kids spent many Sundays at his parent’s Long Lake cottage with extended family where he was one of the best slalom water skiers on the lake. His children also loved Saturday morning horseback riding with the family. Werner impeccably trained the family German Shepherd, which had been purchased after the 1968 Mexico City Olympic games and named Chica, as a show dog.
He taught Catechism at St. Zachary Catholic church in Des Plaines, Illinois where he began raising his family. He and his wife, Dottie, performed volunteer work for many years through Catholic Charities. In 1980, through Catholic Charities, they adopted two brothers who he called a blessing, Eric and Russell, and a girl in 1993, Christine, who he referred to as his rainbow.
A love of the outdoors including skiing and hiking brought him to spend family vacations in Winter Park, Colorado and a love of real estate led to the development of a 12-unit condominium building including the first under-building, enclosed garage in town.
Eventually, Werner moved to a ranch south of Denver, Colorado where he learned about horses so he could help his daughter with cerebral palsy ride and work her leg muscles. The city boy applied that typical wrestlers dedication and commitment to handling horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep and was soon building corrals and putting up fences, while explaining to critters that his little daughter was their boss. He roamed the hillside with the same binoculars he took on family camping trips delighting in the wildlife. Later, he would move his wife and youngest daughter to a similar property in Fallbrook, California.
Werner Holzer, the wrestler, is how most people in his life came to know him. During college he was a two-time Big Ten champion, an All-American, finishing third at the NCAA Championships in 1957, and finished his college career with a 71-7 record.
Several years after college, he became founder, fundraiser, athlete, and coach for the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation Wrestling Club in Chicago and led the club to 15 national freestyle and Greco-Roman titles between 1966 and 1978 including the first United States Wrestling Federation National Championship. He personally won a national freestyle champion title in 1966 and was a six-time All-American for the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation.
He played a key role in establishing the United States Wrestling Federation in 1968 and, alongside his best friend Steve Combs serving as Executive Director, Werner served as USWF Vice President and then as its President during the final years of its hard fought battle for recognition as the National Governing Body for wrestling, helping guide it to become USA Wrestling in 1983. Werner authored the History of the United States Wrestling Federation/USA Wrestling which fully documents and chronicles the rise of USA Wrestling. He was proud to have been member #1 and to have served as the first President of USA Wrestling, which continues as the National Governing Body and today has more than 233,000 members.
He placed fourth in freestyle at the 1966 World Championships and finished sixth in Greco-Roman at the 1968 Olympics, making him one of the few Americans to compete internationally in both styles. He was extremely proud of marching in the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and representing his country in international events.
He thoroughly enjoyed the international aspects that wrestling brought to his life. Werner forged friendships around the globe and did not hesitate to host foreign wrestlers and teams at his home in Illinois. One of the closest international friendships he developed was with Japan’s Noriaki Kiguchi, frequently organizing wrestling exchange opportunities between the two countries. He also enjoyed maintaining a relationship with his extended family in Mexico after he was able to connect with them during the 1968 Olympics.
His closest friends in the wrestling community were those wrestlers with whom he worked and fought to help create USA Wrestling. He was especially grateful for the dedication, support, and friendship of Steve Combs and Russ Hellickson before, during, and after that epic endeavor.
Werner’s wrestling family became part of his homelife as well. His children recall their dad’s wrestling buddies as the most entertaining guests. Turkish wrestlers eating whole raw onions, Noriaki playing “I Found My Thrill” on the piano and singing together at family gatherings, Combs tormenting Werner about eating French Fries with a fork, to name a few. (Werner never-after faltered in that “habit.”)
Regardless of age, you could always count on a Werner greeting consisting of an arm drag, pulling you in for a hug or handshake. His welcomes were always warm and sincere, his energy was amazing, his convictions and passion towards life were infectious, and leaving you a better person was not uncommon.
Three words that could describe any world class wrestler are persistence, determination, and tenacity. Werner Holzer epitomized all three, on and off the mat, in wrestling and in life.
Werner passed peacefully in his sleep on October 29, 2018 with Dottie at his side. And so our story concludes knowing Werner will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving husband, amazing father and grandfather, loyal friend, man of faith, intense competitor, accomplished athlete, Olympian, successful businessman, entrepreneur, author, and proud patriot.
Special people that started the party ahead of (predeceased) Werner are his parents, Michael and Eva; brother, Mike; sister-in-law, Carol; inlaws, Solon and Jean Steere; friends, Terry McCann, Jerry Rosenberg, Joe Domko, and Fred Todd.
One of his favorite charities was Make-A-Wish. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation at Wish.org in his memory.
Werner Holzer passed away on Monday, October 29.
His family is doing well and look forward to visiting with you at a Celebration of Life for Werner to be held Saturday, December 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. in Fallbrook, CA (approximately 60 miles/one hour drive north of San Diego).
The schedule is very open and relaxed. You will be able to come and go as your time allows. However. at 3 p.m. there will be a formal presentation of the Olympic flag from Olympians attending the ceremony and a few designated speakers.
If you are planning to come please send a message to that affect to stevencombs1941@gmail.com so we can get a count on how many friends to expect. The final meeting facility in the Fallbrook area will be determined by the number of attending guests and you will be notified of the specific location.
If you can not make it, we’d appreciate you sending a personal letter to Dottie Holzer at 39262 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 or an e-mail message to Werner’s son Eric Holzer at holzeref@gmail.com.
Your written thoughts and experiences about Werner will be a great family treasure for years to come. If you have any pictures please include them with your e-mail. Eric is putting together a slide presentation of his father’s life.
If you would like to make a donation on behalf of Werner, please contact the MAKE A WISH website (Wish.org) and follow the instructions to make a memorial donation. Werner and his wife Dottie have been life long supporters and aid givers to young children.
Hope to see you at the Celebration of Life and remember, “no one is gone as long as they are in our hearts and minds!”
Obituary - Werner P. Holzer
September 23, 1937 - October 29, 2018
This is the story of Werner Peter Holzer. Werner was a wonderful family man who was cherished by many, is missed, and will always be remembered for his principles and integrity.
Werner began his life on September 23, 1937, to immigrant parents, Michael and Eva Holzer. His father was a fine tailor by trade but made a living in Chicago as a tenement building manager where the children played in the open atrium of the building. “Mike” set a no excuses, hard work ethic, example for the family while Eva created a loving home environment based on rules with humor.
Werner, and his brothers, Mike, Frank, and Don remained lifelong supporters of each other’s endeavors. Trips to their great aunt’s farm in Illinois were highlights growing up.
After his brother, Mike, introduced him to wrestling, his love of the sport at a young age worked into a talent and as Werner graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1955 with a State championship under his belt, he earned a wrestling scholarship to the University of Illinois. He became the first person in his family to go to college and he graduated from U of I with a degree in Business.
Werner met his wife, Dottie, in Southern California where she was a flight attendant and they married in 1962. The church, love, and humor played a large part in their 56 year marriage. They now have six children and eight grandchildren living coast to coast.
A notorious chocolate ice cream enthusiast, Werner and the best-man from his wedding, Frosty Devor, were known to walk the Huntington and Manhattan Beach strands in California with a pint each after a wrestling workout.
Werner worked in some form of sales his entire life including selling pots and pans in California in the early 1960s, industrial gases out of Chicago, Illinois for Airco, his own carpet company under the name Carpet Forest in Chicago, Illinois, and real estate in Illinois and Colorado (residential, commercial, and industrial). So tenacious for his seller-customers, that he once spent five years, and compelled a literal act of Congress, to complete the sale of an industrial property in Denver.
Frequent camping trips that began with tent camping and graduated to spoiling the crew with a camper included a favorite where Werner and Dottie packed up the car and camper, and asked the kids which direction to go. Eventually the family ended up in Door County, Wisconsin on a holiday weekend without a reservation. Not to worry. Werner’s personality, negotiation skills, and knack for finding something in common with pretty much anyone landed the family in a farmer’s field of wild strawberries which created a most delicious and memorable trip.
Werner did life right! He lived the passion of his favorite sport, and loved family, friends, the outdoors, and the church. He loved being involved in sports and seemed to excel effortlessly in each: water skiing, snow skiing, backyard football, picnic sports games, swimming, diving, and of course wrestling. Choosing to lead by example in athletics as well as life, Werner circumspectly encouraged all of his children to participate in athletic activities of their choice and to tenaciously follow their own paths to success.
A man of principles, Werner consciously dedicated one-on-one time to each of his six children, participating in father-son and father-daughter youth groups. Werner and his kids spent many Sundays at his parent’s Long Lake cottage with extended family where he was one of the best slalom water skiers on the lake. His children also loved Saturday morning horseback riding with the family. Werner impeccably trained the family German Shepherd, which had been purchased after the 1968 Mexico City Olympic games and named Chica, as a show dog.
He taught Catechism at St. Zachary Catholic church in Des Plaines, Illinois where he began raising his family. He and his wife, Dottie, performed volunteer work for many years through Catholic Charities. In 1980, through Catholic Charities, they adopted two brothers who he called a blessing, Eric and Russell, and a girl in 1993, Christine, who he referred to as his rainbow.
A love of the outdoors including skiing and hiking brought him to spend family vacations in Winter Park, Colorado and a love of real estate led to the development of a 12-unit condominium building including the first under-building, enclosed garage in town.
Eventually, Werner moved to a ranch south of Denver, Colorado where he learned about horses so he could help his daughter with cerebral palsy ride and work her leg muscles. The city boy applied that typical wrestlers dedication and commitment to handling horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep and was soon building corrals and putting up fences, while explaining to critters that his little daughter was their boss. He roamed the hillside with the same binoculars he took on family camping trips delighting in the wildlife. Later, he would move his wife and youngest daughter to a similar property in Fallbrook, California.
Werner Holzer, the wrestler, is how most people in his life came to know him. During college he was a two-time Big Ten champion, an All-American, finishing third at the NCAA Championships in 1957, and finished his college career with a 71-7 record.
Several years after college, he became founder, fundraiser, athlete, and coach for the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation Wrestling Club in Chicago and led the club to 15 national freestyle and Greco-Roman titles between 1966 and 1978 including the first United States Wrestling Federation National Championship. He personally won a national freestyle champion title in 1966 and was a six-time All-American for the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation.
He played a key role in establishing the United States Wrestling Federation in 1968 and, alongside his best friend Steve Combs serving as Executive Director, Werner served as USWF Vice President and then as its President during the final years of its hard fought battle for recognition as the National Governing Body for wrestling, helping guide it to become USA Wrestling in 1983. Werner authored the History of the United States Wrestling Federation/USA Wrestling which fully documents and chronicles the rise of USA Wrestling. He was proud to have been member #1 and to have served as the first President of USA Wrestling, which continues as the National Governing Body and today has more than 233,000 members.
He placed fourth in freestyle at the 1966 World Championships and finished sixth in Greco-Roman at the 1968 Olympics, making him one of the few Americans to compete internationally in both styles. He was extremely proud of marching in the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and representing his country in international events.
He thoroughly enjoyed the international aspects that wrestling brought to his life. Werner forged friendships around the globe and did not hesitate to host foreign wrestlers and teams at his home in Illinois. One of the closest international friendships he developed was with Japan’s Noriaki Kiguchi, frequently organizing wrestling exchange opportunities between the two countries. He also enjoyed maintaining a relationship with his extended family in Mexico after he was able to connect with them during the 1968 Olympics.
His closest friends in the wrestling community were those wrestlers with whom he worked and fought to help create USA Wrestling. He was especially grateful for the dedication, support, and friendship of Steve Combs and Russ Hellickson before, during, and after that epic endeavor.
Werner’s wrestling family became part of his homelife as well. His children recall their dad’s wrestling buddies as the most entertaining guests. Turkish wrestlers eating whole raw onions, Noriaki playing “I Found My Thrill” on the piano and singing together at family gatherings, Combs tormenting Werner about eating French Fries with a fork, to name a few. (Werner never-after faltered in that “habit.”)
Regardless of age, you could always count on a Werner greeting consisting of an arm drag, pulling you in for a hug or handshake. His welcomes were always warm and sincere, his energy was amazing, his convictions and passion towards life were infectious, and leaving you a better person was not uncommon.
Three words that could describe any world class wrestler are persistence, determination, and tenacity. Werner Holzer epitomized all three, on and off the mat, in wrestling and in life.
Werner passed peacefully in his sleep on October 29, 2018 with Dottie at his side. And so our story concludes knowing Werner will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving husband, amazing father and grandfather, loyal friend, man of faith, intense competitor, accomplished athlete, Olympian, successful businessman, entrepreneur, author, and proud patriot.
Special people that started the party ahead of (predeceased) Werner are his parents, Michael and Eva; brother, Mike; sister-in-law, Carol; inlaws, Solon and Jean Steere; friends, Terry McCann, Jerry Rosenberg, Joe Domko, and Fred Todd.
One of his favorite charities was Make-A-Wish. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation at Wish.org in his memory.
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