Tenpin Slants By: Joe Lyou

Tenpin Slants By: Joe Lyou It must be getting a little crowded at the Big Bowling Center in the Sky. In my last column, I wrote about the passing of Dick Stoeffler, a Southern Califor- nia bowling pioneer whom I knew for almost four decades. Ol’ Steff died on Jan. 14 at his home in Las Vegas after a seven-year battle with cancer. I had written that it was a three-year battle, but Steff’s son, Mike, assured me that it was seven. Just one week after Stoeffler left us, I learned that Duke McGrew, another well- known Southland bowling personality, had died. His death was so sudden that it shocked his many friends. Duke’s wife, Helen, said he had complained of pain, so she insisted that he see a doctor. After a series of medical procedures, Duke was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was to undergo treatments but died before they could be started. “He went to sleep and never woke up,” said Helen, his wife of 56 years. They were an ideal couple, according to USBC Hall of Famer Andy Marzich, who was a longtime friend of both Duke and Helen. Marzich added: “In all the time I knew Duke, I never saw him mad once. He was a great guy.” Duke, who was 84—although he looked 20 years younger—had many friends, including Dick Stoeffler. They had much in common. Both had a keen sense of humor. Both were excellent bowlers. Both were mem- bers of the SoCal Hall of Fame. Both produced successful local TV bowling shows. Both loved all sports. Both had an amazing knowledge of baseball, its teams and players. And most important, both were devoted husbands. Duke also was a very good golfer. He was justly proud of the fact that he had scored three perfect games in bowling and three holes-in-one in golf. (I don’t know of anyone else duplicating that amazing feat.) A touching obituary ran in the Los Angeles Times on Jan. 25. In case some of his friends missed it, here’s how it read… John “Duke” McGrew died Sunday, January 21, following a short illness. Duke was born in Chicago in 1922, son of Lila Murphy and John McGrew. He attended Mt. Carmel High School, graduating in 1938. After serving in the Army in World War II, he returned to Chicago. In 1950, he married Helen Clemente and they moved to California in 1954. Always an excellent athlete, Duke began bowling at an early age and later turned his hobby into a business. He bowled professionally, was (part) owner of two bowling alleys (WonderBowl-Downey and WonderBowl-Anaheim) and was a partner in WonderBowl, an innovative bowling chain established in the 1960’s. He was also host of several bowling shows, including Bowling for Dollars. Follow- ing this, he launched a successful vending business in which he was active until his retirement. Advertisers Duke was also a lifelong golfer. He was proud of the fact he had three holes-in- one and three 300 games in bowling. He is survived by Helen, his wife of 56 years, a sister, Celeste Nemmers, 19 Call to reserve nieces and nephews, 13 great, great nieces and nephews and 27 cousins. your space early Duke was buried in San Jacinto, Calif., a Southland desert community where he owned a second home and where he went to play golf…often. It is doubtful if Southern California will ever see the likes of two better men—not just bowlers—than Duke McGrew and Dick Stoeffler. * * * SWITCHING REELS: Tenpin Slants spent five productive days at the recent Learn To Bowl * All Levels * Private or Group Lessons Denny’s PBA Dick Weber Open at Dave Osborn’s Fountain Bowl in Orange Sharpen Your Skills * Improve Your Game * Win! County’s Fountain Valley. I had a wonderful time because so many old friends were there. It’s the only time I see some of them, especially since the demise in 1998 of the annual SoCal Bowl- ing Writers’ All-Star Awards Banquet. One day at the Dick Weber Open, I had a chance to listen in as Hall of Famers Carmen Salvino and Glenn (Mr. 900) Allison talked about the good ol’ days. Salvino bowled in the tournament at Fountain Bowl “out of respect for my friend Dick We- ber.” Salvino is still incensed because Allison’s 900 series was never recognized by the ABC/USBC. “Glenn should’ve been honored by every bowler and proprietor in the country,” Salvino said. “Another bowler who also deserves to be honored is Bill Super Hoinke Winner Bunetta, who has done so much for bowling (as an instructor).” (only woman champion) On another occasion, I sat in on a conversation between Hall of Famer John 5 Majors * 25 National Titles Jowdy and Ron Hoppe, a couple of world-class professional coaches. 54 - 300 Games Hoppe, a native Southern Californian who now makes his home in the Northwest, 16 - 800 Series is the one who developed Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi into a major player on the pro tour. Jowdy, of course, has helped so many stars that he’s known as “the coach of the pros.” Ask about Video Lessons - Send your video for analysis Hoppe has another international player who could be a future PBA champion. Call (818) 422-6399 or [email protected] He’s Alexander Medveditskov, a 19-year-old right-hander from St. Petersburg, Rus- (Continued on page 16) 12 www.bowlingworld.com – MARCH 2007 .

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