Bob Mathias was an American decathlete and Olympic champion, born on November 7, 1930, in Tulare, California. He gained fame for winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the youngest athlete to achieve this feat at the age of 17. Mathias also won a second gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, solidifying his status as one of the greatest decathletes in history. In addition to his athletic achievements, Mathias was a successful businessman and served in the United States Congress from 1967 to 1975. He was known for his contributions to sports and youth programs, promoting physical fitness and education throughout his life. Mathias passed away on September 2, 2022.