John H Uelses

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John H. Uelses, who died December 15, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. John was 85 years old.

John was a talented and accomplished athlete, making history as the first man to vault over 16 feet. His record-breaking jump at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York made headlines around the world and landed him on cover of Sports Illustrated. He was a member of the United States Track Team, competing and winning medals in countries around the world.

John was born Hans Joachim Feigenbaum in Berlin, Germany. During his early years WWII forced the family to become refugees. At age 12 John was sent to the United States to live with a great aunt and uncle, and was later joined by his brother Fred. Speaking no English, the two had to study extra hard. They were later adopted and became United States citizens.

John was an honor student and excelled in athletics at Miami Senior High School and later received a scholarship to University of Alabama, where he set university records and won Southeastern Conference titles in pole vault, javelin, and hurdles.

During this time, he learned about a U.S. Marine track and field program that would let him compete in national and international events. He described himself at the time as "the only Marine who looked forward to Boot Camp." It was when he was a corporal stationed at Quantico that he achieved his world record-breaking pole vault, a record he himself broke by 1/2" at the Boston Indoor Games (indoor) and Santa Barbara Relays (outdoor).

John was one of the earliest vaulters to compete using a fiberglass pole, then regarded as a gimmick but which - thanks to John's athletic prowess, determination, and skill - quickly came into standard use.

While in the Marines, John was also a member of U.S. track team, traveling and competing all over the world including the Cold War matches with the USSR. He vaulted and won medals in Brussels, Russia, Poland, Finland, Japan, Germany and England. His first place win in 1963 in Moscow achieved despite an injury was particularly satisfying to him.

After his tour with the Marines, John received a scholarship to La Salle University where he vaulted and played soccer. He won the NCAA pole vault championship in 1964 with an American indoor record of 16' 4.5", as well as three ICAA championships, two MAC Championships, and became an NCAA All American.

John began his career as an officer in U.S. Naval Aviation. He was selected for the first F14 Tomcat Fighter Squadron VF 1 at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. He was first a student, and then an instructor at U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, now known as Top Gun. His fighter squadrons served aboard USS Ranger and USS Enterprise. After years in the air and at sea it was time to stay on ground.

He was assigned to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating and earning a Master's degree at Naval War College, he served with U.S. European NATO Command in Germany and at Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, DC.

John was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, La Salle Hall of Fame, and Miami Senior High Hall of Fame.

After retirement he continued to share his passion for vaulting by coaching high school vaulters in the San Diego area. And he developed a new passion for golf and a goal of a hole in one, which he did of course achieve.

John is survived by his wife Mickey, their children Mark (Susie), Elyssa (Bruce), grandsons Max (Whittney), Jake (Taylor), great-granddaughter (Maisy), and brother Fred (Claudia). He will be deeply missed by his family and friends but his legacy will live on through his remarkable achievements.