Ronald Arthur "Ron" Stein (September 27, 1937 – February 16, 2010) was an American athlete who competed at the inaugural Summer Paralympic Games held in Rome in 1960.
Early life
Stein, the only child of Arthur and Edith (née Goehler) Stein, was born on September 27, 1937, in East St. Louis. He lived in O'Fallon, Illinois throughout his life.[1]
He attended O'Fallon Township High School, from where he graduated in 1955. During his time at school he played basketball and baseball, and participated in track and field events. Following high school, Stein planned to begin workouts with the Chicago White Sox, then continue his education at Northwestern University.[1]
While training with the White Sox, Stein became ill with polio; the disease left him requiring the use of a wheelchair. He entered a rehabilitation program at the University of Illinois in 1956 and became involved in competitive wheelchair sports, including basketball, athletics and football.[1]
Stein also competed at the Tokyo Paralympics in 1964;[1] he won six gold medals.[3] In addition to defending the pentathlon, shot put and club throw titles he won in Rome, Stein set world records upon winning the javelin, with a throw of 26.70 metres (87.60ft), and the discus, with a distance of 36.98 metres (121.3ft).[7][8] He also took gold in the wheelchair dash below T10 event.[3]
He was inducted into the Wheelchair Sports USA Hall of Fame in 1970 and the National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.[9][10]
Personal life
He was married to Janet (White) Stein from September 5, 1959, until his death, and had three children.[1]
References
12345"Obituary - Ron Stein". National Wheelchair Basketball Association. February 18, 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
