Sgt. Roy Haldeman
SGT. ROY HALDEMAN was a professional wrestler who was based in Camden, New Jersey in the 1930s. He is known to have wrestled in Camden and Philadelphia, Ohio, upstate New York and Washington D.C.
He appears to have been born Leroy Reid Haldeman on July 24, 1909 to Leroy Stanley Haldeman and the former Minnie Reid. He married Anna Elizabeth Saxton on August 18, 1934 in East Camden.
Roy Haldeman was still wrestling as late as November of 1939. Last a resident of Pennsauken, New Jersey, Roy Haldeman passed away on May 5, 1976.
Camden Convention Hall
1-19-31 at CAMDEN CONVENTION HALL (ATT: 1,500)
- Jack Ganson drew Cyclone Rees 2/3 Falls
- John Kilonis over Frank Wolff
- Glenn Wade over August Banker
- Jack Montana over Roy Haldeman
Wrestling Results
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN, N. J., March 31.—Gus Sonnenberg, 215; won two of three falls from Andy Brown, 205, Brooklyn (18:44 and 12:47); Boris Demetroff, 205, Bulgaria, threw Jean Bruce, 210, New York (19:13); Frank Wolf, 175, Germany, drew with Theophilos Doumaxos, 173, Greece, 30 minutes; Roy Haldeman, 175, Camden, threw Frank Weber, 168, New York (13:02).
Mat Program Here Lists New Talent
Trenton Evening Times —
Jim Browning Heads Card on First Outdoor Show Here Friday Night
Big Jim Browning, of Los Angeles, tipping the scales at 230 pounds, will head the first outdoor wrestling program to be staged at the High School Field on Friday night. The first outdoor show put on by grapplers here was set for last Friday but rain forced a postponement. Four new bouts have been arranged this week. Browning, who recently beat John Pesek, the Nebraska Tiger, who is rated by many as the uncrowned king of the wrestlers, is the inventor of a new hold and will use it against Boris Demitroff, Bulgarian, whom he meets here on Friday in a two-fall match.
There will be three other bouts. In one, Joe Montana, Italian, tackles Roy Haldeman, of Camden, in a 30-minute match and this will be followed by a clash between Cyclone Rees, of Germany, and Lee Wykoff, of St. Louis. This is also of 30 minutes. Theofolis Doumas, Greek, squares off against Paul Kochansky, Germany, in the other bout. All these huskies are making their first appearance here and the new talent is expected to attract a good crowd. The first bout starts at 8:45 p. m.
Philadelphia Convention Hall
10-5-31 PHILADELPHIA (CONVENTION HALL)
- Andy Brown over Regis Siki 2/3 Falls via COR (2 ST)
- Frank Judson drew Boris Demetroff
- Roy Haldeman drew Johnny Carlin
- Ed Strank over Bryson Turner
Star Matmen Lined Up for Center Card
The Morning Herald (Gloversville & Johnstown, NY) —
Kilonis, Light Heavy Champ, to Meet Roy Haldeman in Headliner — Gardner vs Montana — Schenectady County Sheriff Matched with Ohioan; Two More Bouts
John Kilonis, former Glove Cities wrestler and present holder of the world’s light heavyweight championship, and Roy Haldeman of Camden, N. J., will headline the four-bout all-professional card Wednesday night, February 3, at the Jewish Community Center gym.
This announcement was made yesterday by Bert Kennedy of the Fulton County Athletic association, under the auspices of which the program will be staged.
In a feature performance of equal attraction, “Pink” Gardner, Schenectady county sheriff and as outstanding contender for Kilonis’ title, will meet Joe Montana of Columbus, O.
Kilonis and Haldeman, who weigh 176 pounds each, will wrestle to a finish, one fall deciding the winner.
Gardner, who weighs 180, and Montana, weighing 185, will wrestle 46 minutes, the judges to pick the winner.
A 30-minute bout has been arranged between Joe Campbell of Schenectady and Tom Dennenbaum of Mount Pleasant, and this event should furnish thrills aplenty for the fans.
The fourth match will bring together Tony Moretto of Schenectady and Frank Krause of Albany, both in the 160–165 pound class.
All profit from the event will be turned over to the Welfare Fund of the Center to help those in need. Seating capacity of the Center gym is about 800, and fans will be assured of being able to see all bouts easily. Advance sale of tickets indicate that local fans are eager for the return of wrestling as a major sport.
Gardner Will Meet Banaski in Albany Mix
Schenectady Gazette —
ALBANY, Jan. 22.—Carroll “Pink” Gardner, Schenectady county sheriff-wrestler, may well claim being a victim of circumstances.
Gardner, who will meet Joe Banaski of Chicago at the Tenth Infantry armory Tuesday night, was on the verge of winning the light heavyweight title on a dozen occasions but he always fell a bit short of his goal.
He has beaten many champions, but never when the title was at stake. His most recent victory was over Marion Mynster, who defeated Banaski for the title last July.
Although his duties as sheriff are numerous, Gardner does not forsake training routine, and at present he is in good condition. Tuesday’s bout will be the eighth against Banaski, a former Albanian. He won two bouts, lost four and was held to a draw in one.
Gardner was middleweight champion of the world in 1921 and 1922. When elected sheriff last November he intended to retire from the ring, but the call of the mat was too strong. Hence he will appear in Albany for the first time since he assumed office January 1.
Ray Haldeman, former merchant marine, will meet Steve Budynas of Schenectady in a semi-final to the Gardner-Banaski affair. Joe Campbell, Schenectady, will oppose Joe Montana, Columbus, O., and Mike Mazurki, Cohoes, will meet Cyclone Reese, New York.
Gardner, Banaski Are Old Rivals
Albany Evening News —
Meeting of Wrestlers in Albany Will Be Seventh for them
When Carroll (Pink) Gardner, Schenectady, and Joe Banaski, Chicago, meet tomorrow night in the feature wrestling bout in the Tenth Infantry Armory, it will be the seventh time they have been opponents on the mat. Records show Banaski won four of the bouts, lost one and earned a draw in the other.
With the exception of the Mike Mazurki-Cyclone Rees battle, the remainder of tomorrow’s card will bring together light heavyweights.
Ray Haldeman, Camden, N. J., will clash with Steve Budynas, Schenectady, and Joe Montana, Columbus, Ohio, will meet Joe Campbell, Schenectady.
Gardner Will Meet Banaski in Albany Mix
Schenectady Gazette —
Two colorful light heavyweight wrestlers, Carroll “Pink’ Gardner of Schenectady and Joe Banaski of Chicago, will meet tonight at Albany at the 10th Infantry armory in a bout that may have an important bearing on the championship.
For this reason the two are expected to wage a hard fought battle. Gardner will attempt to record his third victory against the former Albanian in eight starts. Banaski has won four bouts. One battle went to a draw.
Friends of Banaski who knew him when he boxed in the amateur ranks under the Y. M. C. A. colors 10 years ago will be among the spectators. Gardner’s recent victory over Marion Mynster, who defeated Banaski for the title last July, is an indication that the two are evenly matched. Mynster lost the crown recently to Kilonis.
Ray Haldeman of Camden, N. J., one of the very few wrestlers who use the thrilling “spinning” body scissors, will meet Steve Budynas, Schenectady light heavyweight, in the semi-final.
Joe Campbell, also of Schenectady, will oppose Joe Montana of Columbus, Ohio, and Mike Mazurki of Cohoes will clash with Cyclone Rees of New York in other bouts.
Kilonis Victor in Dorp Mat Bout
Troy Times —
John Kilonis of Manchester, N. H., defeated Marion Mynster of Charlestown, W. V., with a body slam to win another chance at “Pink” Gardner’s light-heavyweight title, in the feature bout at Schenectady last night. The affair was a listless exhibition with Mynster doing most of the work for 30 minutes of the 46 required to settle the argument.
Carl Van Wurden, Canadian titleholder, won over Ray Haldeman of Camden, N.J. with a body slam after 19 minutes of more or less rough going, and Joe Campbell of Schenectady took the opener over Joe Gates of Utica with an airplane spin in 23 minutes.
Columbus, Ohio
March —
Columbus, Ohio: Thursday, March 24, 1932 (The Auditorium) — Everette Marshall b. Pat McLary (11:07) — Walter Podolak b. Suylemin Bey (less than 3 minutes) — Paddy Mack b. Fred Moran (DQ) (18:00) — Bob Montgomery and Glen Wade drew — Sergeant Ray Halderman b. Charlie Santon (decision) — (promoter: Al Haft) — (referee: Chob Sisson) — (3,500 fans)
Columbus, Ohio: Wednesday, March 30, 1932 (The Auditorium) — MWA World Heavyweight champion John Pesek b. Walter Podolak (32:44) — Karl Davis b. Al Baffert (decision) — Fred Moran b. Bob Gearhart (21:00) — Ray Halderman and John Kilonis drew (30:00) — Robin Reed b. Roughhouse Packer (25:23) — (promoter: Al Haft) — (referees: Chob Sissons, Ed Beardsley) — (4,500 fans)
Columbus, Ohio: Thursday, April 28, 1932 (The Auditorium) — MWA World Light Heavyweight champion Pinky Gardner b. Marion Mynster (39:22) — Glen Wade b. Sailor Arnold (18:40) (airplane spin) — Gordon Arquette and Robin Reed drew (30:00) — Bob Atlas and Sergeant Roy Haldeman drew (30:00) — (promoter: Al Haft) — (less than 2,500 fans)
Wrestling
Seattle Daily Times —
BUFFALO, N. Y.—Ed Don George won by decision from Nick Lutze in one hour; Jack Sherry threw Buck Weaver; Sam Cordovano threw Eddie Elzear; Karol Nowina drew with Casey Kazanjian.
CAMDEN, N. J.—George Zarynoff defeated Andy Brown; Jack Ganson drew with Boris Demetroff; Charley Hansen won by decision from Al Mercier; Ray Frisby threw Roy Haldeman.
Zbyszko's Streak in Danger of Ending
Camden Courier-Post —
Charley Strack May ‘Take’ Brilliant Pole in Outdoor Struggle Here
Although now a sensation in South Jersey wrestling circles, a bit of the glamour attached to his efforts may be tarnished when he goes to the mat with Charley Strack, former Colgate football star, next Monday night at Promoter Charley Grip’s outdoor Arena. The clever Polish heavyweight and the sturdy ex-gridiron are scheduled to clash in the 45-minute semi-final to the feature combat, which is a finish match between Karl Pojello and Count George Zarynoff. One fall will decide the tussle between Strack and Zbyszko, while Pojello and Zarynoff will grapple in a two-out-of-three fall encounter.
No wrestler to appear here past two months showed to better advantage than Zbyszko did in his first two matches. In his debut against the veteran Nick Lutze, Zbyszko not only surprised Camden mat crowd, but amazed them as well by holding his more experienced foeman to a draw in 45 minutes. In fact, more than one spectator voiced the opinion that Zbyszko should have been awarded the decision as he had Lutze in more precarious positions than he was in himself. However, the decision was a draw and Promoter Grip brought Zbyszko back. This time, he met the youthful Ray Frisby, of Medford, Ore. Zbyszko pinned Frisby, but found the going rough right up to the minute the bout ended. Frisby made the mistake of forcing the pace and Zbyszko waited till the proper time to act and “smash” the Ore.
But, he’ll find Strack a different type of foeman. Charley was one of the best tackles to graduate from Colgate and also was regarded as one of the smartest. He brought his strength and quick-thinking with him other the night’s program. Danny Winters, of Wisconsin, meets Frisby in the second bout, while Sergeant Roy Haldeman, of Camden, and Zbyszko are slinging in the opener. One fall will decide both bouts.
Bozinis Tosses Kilonis
Cleveland Plain Dealer —
PENSAUKEN, N. J., Aug. 22.—(AP)—Nick Bozinis, 175, Columbus (O.) light heavyweight wrestler, won two out of three falls from Gentleman John Kilonis, also 175, of Greece, here tonight. Rudy Dusek, Nebraska, and Abe Coleman, Chicago, each weighing 275, wrestled to a draw. Gino Garibaldi, 210, of Italy, drew with Sun Jennings, 215, Oklahoma, in 30 minutes, and Cliff Kauffman, 175, Columbus, threw Roy Haldeman, 178, Camden, in 16:20.
Camden, NJ
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden, New Jersey: Monday, October 14, 1935 (Convention Hall) — World Light Heavyweight Champion Charley “Midget” Fischer b. Pinky Gardner (2/3) — Ernie “Dutch” Heffner b. “Hillbilly” Casey Berger (DQ) (26:03) (Berger attacked Hefner after the match, nearly inciting a riot) — Eddie Kopper b. Roy Haldeman (13:33) — Joe Gayon and Clete Kauffman drew (30:00) — (promoter: Charley Grip) — (matchmaker: Jack Pfefer) — (referee: Billy Martino) — (2,500 fans)
Note: The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Fischer was the “undisputed light heavyweight wrestling champion of the world.”