USBC Hall of Famer John Handegard dies at age 87
October 28, 2025
ARLINGTON, Texas – John Handegard of Sherwood, Oregon, a member of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, died Oct. 24, 2025. He was 87.
Handegard, who at the time of his retirement was the Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour’s (now PBA50 Tour) all-time titlist with 14 senior titles, including one major, the 1998 PBA Villages Senior Tournament of Champions, was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Veterans category in 2010.
Handegard was a three-time PBA Senior Player of the Year (1991, 1995 and 1996) and made PBA history by becoming the oldest PBA Tour champion at age 57 when he ran the stepladder and defeated four future USBC and PBA Hall of Famers to capture the 1995 Northwest Classic in Kennewick, Washington.
That record-setting day began with Handegard taking down Mike Aulby by a score of 215-205. Handegard then went on to defeat Norm Duke, 239-225, and Bryan Goebel, 237-235, before besting Mark Williams, 278-247, for the title.
The victory allowed Handegard to break the 30-year-old record held by Buzz Fazio, who won a PBA Tour title in 1964 at the age of 56.
Handegard was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in the Veterans/Senior category in 2009 and was later enshrined in the Oregon State USBC Hall of Fame (2019).
Once his competitive career was over, Handegard turned to the business side of bowling by attempting to revitalize Texas Pro Bowl in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at St. Luke’s Church in Oakridge, Oregon, on Nov. 8 starting at 11 a.m. Pacific.
For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, CLICK HERE.
Handegard, who at the time of his retirement was the Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour’s (now PBA50 Tour) all-time titlist with 14 senior titles, including one major, the 1998 PBA Villages Senior Tournament of Champions, was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Veterans category in 2010.
Handegard was a three-time PBA Senior Player of the Year (1991, 1995 and 1996) and made PBA history by becoming the oldest PBA Tour champion at age 57 when he ran the stepladder and defeated four future USBC and PBA Hall of Famers to capture the 1995 Northwest Classic in Kennewick, Washington.
That record-setting day began with Handegard taking down Mike Aulby by a score of 215-205. Handegard then went on to defeat Norm Duke, 239-225, and Bryan Goebel, 237-235, before besting Mark Williams, 278-247, for the title.
The victory allowed Handegard to break the 30-year-old record held by Buzz Fazio, who won a PBA Tour title in 1964 at the age of 56.
Handegard was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in the Veterans/Senior category in 2009 and was later enshrined in the Oregon State USBC Hall of Fame (2019).
Once his competitive career was over, Handegard turned to the business side of bowling by attempting to revitalize Texas Pro Bowl in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at St. Luke’s Church in Oakridge, Oregon, on Nov. 8 starting at 11 a.m. Pacific.
For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, CLICK HERE.