IPF Referee and Competitive Powerlifter Robb Grisham Has Passed Away at 81

The powerlifting community is reeling today at the news of the passing of Robb Grisham.

A competitive powerlifter in his own right, Robb Grisham would eventually go on to refereeing events. A respected referee for the International Powerlifting Federation, Robb Grisham was also a coach and competed into his 70s. He even stepped on stage at the age of 75, showing that he had quite the passion and dedication to his craft.

After news of his passing broke, the official IPF Instagram account shared the below post and statement. Here’s what IPF president Gaston Parage wrote about the passing of Robb Grisham.

“Yesterday was another sad day in the powerlifting community as we learned of the passing of Robb Grisham. Robb was a IPF Cat 2 referee and long standing member in USA Powerlifting, competing nationally and also internationally.

President of USA Powerlifting Dr. Larry Maile had the following comments about Robb: Yesterday, we said farewell to Robb Grisham. Robb was a longtime national and international competitor, referee, and coach. He will be missed by his many friends here at home, but also across the world. USA Powerlifting joings Robb’s many friends in offering our deepest sympathies to his wife Linda, and his Colorado powerlifting family. RIP Robb. Fair winds and following seas. 1939 -2020.

To show the love he had around him Zac Cooper from USA Powerlifting summed it up very well: Part of being a part of the sport of Powerlifting is knowing your history. It helps you know where we have been, what we have accomplished, and gives us better understanding of the vector for the future. Rob was a part of USA Powerlifting ‘s heart. He was part of the “good stuff” that happened at every competition I had the pleasure of sharing with him. He smiled; was helpful, friendly, approachable, patient, encouraging, positive, and perhaps the most visible quality I can say about Him was – he served. God Bless Him and his family.

On behalf of the IPF Executive committee we send our deepest condolences to his family and all his friends over the world.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Yesterday was another sad day in the powerlifting community as we learned of the passing of Robb Grisham. Robb was a IPF Cat 2 referee and long standing member in USA Powerlifting, competing nationally and also internationally. President of USA Powerlifting Dr. Larry Maile had the following comments about Robb: Yesterday, we said farewell to Robb Grisham. Robb was a longtime national and international competitor, referee, and coach. He will be missed by his many friends here at home, but also across the world. USA Powerlifting joings Robb’s many friends in offering our deepest sympathies to his wife Linda, and his Colorado powerlifting family. RIP Robb. Fair winds and following seas. 1939 -2020. To show the love he had around him Zac Cooper from USA Powerlifting summed it up very well: Part of being a part of the sport of Powerlifting is knowing your history. It helps you know where we have been, what we have accomplished, and gives us better understanding of the vector for the future. Rob was a part of USA Powerlifting ‘s heart. He was part of the “good stuff” that happened at every competition I had the pleasure of sharing with him. He smiled; was helpful, friendly, approachable, patient, encouraging, positive, and perhaps the most visible quality I can say about Him was – he served. God Bless Him and his family. On behalf of the IPF Executive committee we send our deepest condolences to his family and all his friends over the world. Gaston Parage @ipfpresident

A post shared by IPF Powerlifting (@theipf) on Oct 7, 2020 at 10:16am PDT

Robb Grisham was a prominent and beloved figure in the powerlifting community. He will be sorely missed. Grisham was 81.

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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.