Frank Waller

Frank Laird Waller (* June 24, 1884 in Saint Paul ( Minnesota), † November 29, 1941 in Kansas City ( Missouri)) was an American athlete who was active at the beginning of the 20th century. He had specialized in the long sprint distance ( 400 m ) as well as the hurdles.

The AA for the Chicago Milwaukee and later the AC blasting 1,76 m tall and 71 kg athlete won four U.S. championship:

However, his greatest success he was able to celebrate in 1904 at the Olympics in St. Louis, where he won two silver medals:

• About 400 meters in 49.9 seconds behind Harry Hillman ( gold in 49.2 seconds ) and before Herman Groman ( bronze in 50.0 seconds). The participating 13 runners, all of whom were from the United States to the Percival Molson Canadian and the German Johannes Runge, started without qualification runs the same in the final.
• 400m hurdles in 53.2 seconds behind Harry Hillman ( gold in 53.0 seconds ) and before George Poage (bronze, time not determined ). At the race four Americans were involved. As of right from the start leading Hillman stumbled at the final hurdle, Waller had caught up with him, but no longer go by him.

His personal best over 440 y is 49.6 sec ( run 1905) specified.

Frank Waller graduated from the University of Wisconsin. After finishing his sports career he became a musician. Initially he worked as a pianist for singer Lillian Russell. He then took over at the Conservatory of Kansas City has a leading position as a vocal coach. In later years, he served as director of the Milwaukee Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Broadcasting Company in New York City and the WPA Orchestra in Richmond.