Bangert

After more than a decade spent on the project, Mr. Bangert declared bankruptcy and moved to Anaheim, Calif., throwing himself more than ever into music and athletics, including a new-found passion, Highland Games.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Mr. Bangert later became a stalwart of master's track and field tournaments across the country.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Bill Bangert 1924-2011 Bill Bangert was an outsized man with dreams to match.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

"On a patriotic issue like this, everyone ought to buy them," Mr. Bangert told The Wall Street Journal in 1967.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Mr. Bangert—who stood 6 feet, 5 inches and weighed 265 pounds—won NCAA discus and shot-put championships in 1944 and 1945 while attending the University of Missouri.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Mr. Bangert, who died July 12 at age 87, held national titles in the shot put and discus.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Bangert Family Bill Bangert But he was frustrated in the pursuit of his biggest dream: bringing the Olympics back to St. Louis for the first time since 1904.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

In 1991, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater opened not far from the spot where he had envisioned his Olympic stadium, and Mr. Bangert pronounced himself pleased with his prescience.

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Wherever Mr. Bangert competed, organizers also tried to display the musical talents of the man known as "the Singing Samson."

Singing Strongman Chased Olympic-Sized Dreams Stephen Miller 2011

Died: Bill Bangert, 87, shot put champ who tried to bring the Olympics to St. Louis.

What's News: World-Wide 2011