F! Archive, 2011: Bob Staton, founder of the WFSA dies at age 68

Bob Staton (center), posing with Keith Butterfield (right)
While this article was originally posted 18th February 2011, this now marks fourteen years to the day since Bob Staton left us. He was very supportive of me when I was just a kid trying to figure freestyle out, and I often wonder what he’d make of everything that’s happened in freestyle since.

The featured photo for this article is taken from Keith Butterfield’s short memorial video for Bob (center). I’ve also included a video of one of his runs from a 1984 competition at the bottom of the article – video embedding wasn’t very common when the article was first published!

– Tony Gale

Bob Staton, also known as SteelWheelBob, passed away at 10:45 on Tuesday, January 25th 2011.

In 2001, he was one of the founders of the WFSA.

His dreams and goals in life were all dedicated to Freestyle Skateboarding. He gave us contests, he gave us inspiration and passion. He would build trophies out of anything just so we freestylers can take something home with pride.

His heart and soul was built on skateboarding. Bob Staton showed us how much we really do care about our choice of skateboarding. We are the outcasts; Bob gave us a home and the inspiration to keep a roof over that home.

Last year he wanted to be less involved with the WFSA due to his health issue. But he never stopped coming with ideas and suggestions.

We will miss him.

His ashes will be scattered in the ocean near University Point in Santa Barbara, California at 2PM on Saturday April 2nd.

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