Bobby Young(1916-2011)
Robert Clark "Bob" Young was born on January 15, 1916 in Bakersfield, California. Young attended Kern County Union High School, where he ran track. Following graduation from high school Robert went on to attend both Bakersfield College and UCLA. Young was selected to represent the United States in the 1936 Olympics after placing fifth in the Final Trials in the wake of having set a personal best of 47.1 at the Western Olympic Trials. Robert was the youngest member of the 4x400m men's relay team that won the silver medal at the 1936 Olympics. Young subsequently competed in a dual meet in London, England against a British Empire team and helped the USA team set a world record in the 4x880 relay. In 1937 Robert posted his best mark for the 440y when he ran 47.1 in a heat of the AAUs and had his best finish at the AAU Meet in which he placed second. Following graduation from college Young went on to work for Standard Oil in his native Bakersfield. He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war Robert worked as an accountant for ten years handling accounts for farmers before eventually becoming a grape farmer himself in Paso Robles, California. Young sold many of his grapes to the Paul Masson Winery. Robert died at age 95 on February 3, 2001 in Bakersfield, California.