Induction: December 2019

Rex was a key contributor to VITA standards, particularly in the area of cooling technologies where he could apply his mechanical engineering skills. While his contributions to VITA were critical to several standards, his real claim to fame was in track and field where Rex was a huge presence in the masters' track and field scene both in the U.S. and internationally.

Rex attended Dexfield High School, where he helped his track and field team win two state championships under the legendary coach Dean Roe. He then earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University, where he attended on an athletic track and field scholarship. During which he participated in four U.S. NCAA Division I Championships.  Rex was a Vietnam War Veteran, who served as a Captain in the United States Airforce. As a member of the US Military track and field team he represented the United States at many international competitions, as well as the 1972 & 1976 US Olympic Trials in the Decathlon.  He went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management at the University of Southern California.  During his many years as an engineer, he designed and holds several patents for nozzles.  He ended his career as a Research Development Engineer at Parker Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rex continued his track career as a masters competitor, during which he won 13 straight national decathlon championships, as well as several world championships in the decathlon, pole vault, and as a member of several relay teams.  He was inducted into the USATF Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. Rex was an integral part of developing age-graded tables for scoring masters track and field athletic performances.  He was elected to two terms as Vice President Stadia of World Masters Athletics (WMA).  He currently was serving as the President of USATF Masters Track & Field.

With great sadness, we announce that Rex passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Prescott, Arizona, where he lived. The cause was a massive heart attack. Obituary