Ray Stern
Encyclopedia
Ray "Thunder" Stern, born Walter Bookbinder, (January 12, 1933 - March 6, 2007) was an American
professional wrestler, bodybuilder and entrepreneur
.
At age 13 he joined the Merchant Marines using the name Paul Davis and discovered bodybuilding, a sport he loved so much he would carry a pair of 50 pound dumbbells in his duffel bag for workouts. In 1950 Stern began wrestling at age 17 in New York City
working for Rudy Dusek. Due to his penchant for aerial moves promoters nicknamed him "Thunder".
Stern opened the first co-ed gym
in the United States in San Francisco, California
, as well as the first with a nursery. He also worked with real estate and rental properties.
Stern was also an avid flier, and during his wrestling career this allowed him to travel great distances in short periods to conduct more business and matches in a quicker span. He founded Stern Air in Addison, Texas
with a fleet of Lear Jets and Falcon's. He even flew to Czechoslovakia to train with their national aerobatic champions, and was so successful that the team named him as an official backup member at the world level.
In 1994 Stern publushed his autobiography
, Power and Thunder: The Rags to Riches Story of One Man's Adventure of Fame, Fortune, Romance & Fitness. He was also awarded the Iron Mike Mazurki Award in 2000 at that year's Cauliflower Alley Club
reunion, an award that recognizes wrestlers for success outside the industry.
In 2005 he received the New York State Award (now since renamed the Senator Hugh Farley
Award) from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York.
On March 6, 2007, Stern died after complications from heart surgery. He was 74 years old.
he is survived by his wife of 10 years Debi Stern, a fitness athlete and IFBB judge.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler, bodybuilder and entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
.
At age 13 he joined the Merchant Marines using the name Paul Davis and discovered bodybuilding, a sport he loved so much he would carry a pair of 50 pound dumbbells in his duffel bag for workouts. In 1950 Stern began wrestling at age 17 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
working for Rudy Dusek. Due to his penchant for aerial moves promoters nicknamed him "Thunder".
Stern opened the first co-ed gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
in the United States in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, as well as the first with a nursery. He also worked with real estate and rental properties.
Stern was also an avid flier, and during his wrestling career this allowed him to travel great distances in short periods to conduct more business and matches in a quicker span. He founded Stern Air in Addison, Texas
Addison, Texas
Addison is a city in Dallas County, Texas . The population was 14,166 at the 2000 census, and 15,737 according to a 2009 estimate. Addison is a northern suburb of Dallas...
with a fleet of Lear Jets and Falcon's. He even flew to Czechoslovakia to train with their national aerobatic champions, and was so successful that the team named him as an official backup member at the world level.
In 1994 Stern publushed his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, Power and Thunder: The Rags to Riches Story of One Man's Adventure of Fame, Fortune, Romance & Fitness. He was also awarded the Iron Mike Mazurki Award in 2000 at that year's Cauliflower Alley Club
Cauliflower Alley Club
The Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
reunion, an award that recognizes wrestlers for success outside the industry.
In 2005 he received the New York State Award (now since renamed the Senator Hugh Farley
Hugh Farley
-Early life:Prior to his service in the New York State Legislature, Hugh Farley served in the United States Army and was a high school teacher in Syracuse, New York and Maryland....
Award) from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York.
On March 6, 2007, Stern died after complications from heart surgery. He was 74 years old.
he is survived by his wife of 10 years Debi Stern, a fitness athlete and IFBB judge.
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2000)
- Midwest Wrestling Association (Ohio)
- MWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Don Leo JonathanDon Leo JonathanDon Heaton , also known as Don Leo Jonathan, is an American former professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:...
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version)The San Francisco, California version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1950 until 1961, and then from 1968 until 1979.-Title history:...
(1 time) – with Ron Etchison
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2005 (New York State Award)
External links
- Ray "Thunder" Stern at OWW.com
- Ray "Thunder" Stern at the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum