USBC Hall of Famer Gordy Baer dies at age 86
September 23, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress recently learned of the death of USBC Hall of Famer Gordy Baer at the age of 86. He passed away July 8.
Baer was inducted to the Superior Performance category in 1987 thanks to his continued success at the USBC Open Championships, which included three team victories.
Born in Harvey, Illinois, the talented right-hander made his debut at the national tournament in 1959 and recorded his first of eight top fives at the event in 1966. Baer paired with Raymond Johnson in Rochester, New York, to finish second in Regular Doubles.
He claimed his first Eagle at the Open Championships in 1973 as part of Chicago’s Skyway Lanes. The group – featuring Baer, USBC Hall of Famer Alfie Cohn, Dave Norton, Bill Slateritz and Joe Trombetta – won Team All-Events in Syracuse, New York, with a 45-game total of 9,316. Baer contributed 1,771 to the winning tally and also finished the year in fourth place for Regular Team and Regular Doubles with Cohn.
Skyway Lanes (left) and Hal Lieber Trophies
Baer saved his best performance at the tournament for his appearance in Tampa, Florida, during the 1979 event. He rolled to a 2,092 total to lead Hal Lieber Trophies of Gary, Indiana, to titles in Regular Team (3,202) and Team All-Events (9,553). His teammates in 1979 included Richard Bliss, Andy Chismudy, Bill Lieber and Bob Wilson.
His nine-game score nearly secured a third win for the tournament, as Baer finished as the runner-up in Regular All-Events.
Baer’s showing in Tampa helped him earn the honor of being named the 1979 Amateur Bowler of the Year by Bowlers Journal International.
He returned to the top 10 in all-events the following year during the tournament’s trip to Louisville, Kentucky, posting 2,005 to place sixth. He also finished the 1980 event in fourth place in Regular Doubles with Jim Fowble and 10th in Regular Team with Hal Lieber Trophies.
The effort in 1980 also helped Baer become just the second competitor to record back-to-back scores of 2,000 or more at the Open Championships.
After his performance at the 1986 event in Las Vegas (1,998 total for all-events), Baer became the first non-professional to place his name at the top of the tournament’s 10-year average list in nearly 30 years. He averaged more than 210 at the Open Championships from 1977-1986.
Baer made his final appearance at the Open Championships in 2018. In returning to Syracuse – the home of his first victory at the event – for his 56th appearance, Baer surpassed 100,000 pins to become the 21st member of the elite club.
He finished his career at the Open Championships with 100,991 pins for a lifetime average of 200.3 over 504 games.
In addition to his success at the national level, Baer was a force in local and state competitions and also earned induction to the Illinois State USBC, Indiana State USBC, Chicagoland USBC and Greater Calumet Area USBC Halls of Fame.
No service was held by request.
Baer was inducted to the Superior Performance category in 1987 thanks to his continued success at the USBC Open Championships, which included three team victories.
Born in Harvey, Illinois, the talented right-hander made his debut at the national tournament in 1959 and recorded his first of eight top fives at the event in 1966. Baer paired with Raymond Johnson in Rochester, New York, to finish second in Regular Doubles.
He claimed his first Eagle at the Open Championships in 1973 as part of Chicago’s Skyway Lanes. The group – featuring Baer, USBC Hall of Famer Alfie Cohn, Dave Norton, Bill Slateritz and Joe Trombetta – won Team All-Events in Syracuse, New York, with a 45-game total of 9,316. Baer contributed 1,771 to the winning tally and also finished the year in fourth place for Regular Team and Regular Doubles with Cohn.
Skyway Lanes (left) and Hal Lieber Trophies
Baer saved his best performance at the tournament for his appearance in Tampa, Florida, during the 1979 event. He rolled to a 2,092 total to lead Hal Lieber Trophies of Gary, Indiana, to titles in Regular Team (3,202) and Team All-Events (9,553). His teammates in 1979 included Richard Bliss, Andy Chismudy, Bill Lieber and Bob Wilson.
His nine-game score nearly secured a third win for the tournament, as Baer finished as the runner-up in Regular All-Events.
Baer’s showing in Tampa helped him earn the honor of being named the 1979 Amateur Bowler of the Year by Bowlers Journal International.
He returned to the top 10 in all-events the following year during the tournament’s trip to Louisville, Kentucky, posting 2,005 to place sixth. He also finished the 1980 event in fourth place in Regular Doubles with Jim Fowble and 10th in Regular Team with Hal Lieber Trophies.
The effort in 1980 also helped Baer become just the second competitor to record back-to-back scores of 2,000 or more at the Open Championships.
After his performance at the 1986 event in Las Vegas (1,998 total for all-events), Baer became the first non-professional to place his name at the top of the tournament’s 10-year average list in nearly 30 years. He averaged more than 210 at the Open Championships from 1977-1986.
Baer made his final appearance at the Open Championships in 2018. In returning to Syracuse – the home of his first victory at the event – for his 56th appearance, Baer surpassed 100,000 pins to become the 21st member of the elite club.
He finished his career at the Open Championships with 100,991 pins for a lifetime average of 200.3 over 504 games.
In addition to his success at the national level, Baer was a force in local and state competitions and also earned induction to the Illinois State USBC, Indiana State USBC, Chicagoland USBC and Greater Calumet Area USBC Halls of Fame.
No service was held by request.