 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 22, 1879 Basel, Switzerland |
| Died | May 19, 1968 (aged 89) Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Gymnastics, shooting sports, bowling |
Emil Schwegler (April 22, 1879 – May 19, 1968) was a Swiss-born American gymnast, sports shooter and bowler.[1] He competed at the 1904 Summer Olympics.[2]
Schwegler was born in Basel, Switzerland, on April 22, 1879.[3] He later moved to the United States with his family and became a naturalized citizen.[1] He was said to have competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics for his home country, but this is unverified.[3] In 1904, Schwegler was selected to represent the United States at that year's Olympics in gymnastics and athletics.[4] He competed in the following events: men's triathlon (in gymnastics), men's triathlon (in athletics), men's artistic individual all-around (in gymnastics), and the men's team competition (in gymnastics).[1] He was affiliated with the St. Louis Schweizer Turnverein, and was the only participant there with that team.[1] Schwegler's highest placement was 21st.[1]
Later, Schwegler attended and graduated from Central College of Osteopathy in Kansas City, Missouri, and for many years was a licensed osteopath physician.[1] He moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, in the 1910s, where he continued his practice until retiring after 40 years.[5] He enjoyed participating in sports shooting events, winning more than 40 awards as a marksman,[3] and also was a prominent bowler in the state.[5]
Schwegler was named the president of the Janesville Bowling Association (JBA) in 1924, and was their secretary from 1925 to 1936.[6] He became a member of the Wisconsin State Bowling Association (WSBA) board of directors in 1929, and later served in chief executive positions.[6] For two seasons he served as the association's vice president.[6] He also was a president and secretary of numerous local leagues, as well as helped found the "All-Star League," later known as the "Major League."[6] Schwegler retired in 1954.[6] He was given the honorary position of life director of the WSBA.[5]
Schwegler died in May 1968, at the age of 89.[5] He was posthumously inducted into the JBA Hall of Fame in 1976.[3]
