New York - Upstate Chapter
Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Robert Feldmeier Award named for Upstate New York Wrestling Leader
Every year the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame presents the Robert Feldmeier Outstanding Wrestler Award to the individual that the Board of Directors select as being the outstanding wrestler in the upstate area. The award is based on wrestling excellence, academic record and community contributions.
Robert Feldmeier wrestled at Little Falls High School and in 1938 won the post season St. Lawrence wrestling tournament which was considered by many at this time as the high school state championships. Most of the best teams in New York including Sprig Gardner’s Mepham team would travel to Canton to wrestle in the championship. Following a year at the Taft School, Bob commenced his college career at Princeton University. In 1940 Bob was presented the Hooker Trophy as the freshman wrestler who demonstrated the greatest improvement for the Tigers. However, in 1942 Bob left college to serve his nation as a Marine Corp paratrooper during World War II.
Subsequently, he returned home to Syracuse to start up his own business, Feldmeier Equipment Inc. Under Bob’s leadership Feldmeier Equipment enlarged to six locations throughout the United States and during Bob’s professional career he had 19 assorted patents in the area of food processing. He received his last two at the age of 92. In 2008, he was inducted into the MACNY Hall of Fame to honor his many accomplishments. Bob has also been actively involved in high school wrestling his entire life in many different areas, including his support of the Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club.
Additionally, he sponsored two Olympic wrestling in their quest for the gold – Jamill Kelly, who won a silver medal, and Syracuse University wrestler, Jason Gleasman. He was inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the NWHOF in 2008 and also received the Meritorious Service Award given by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.