New Hampton’s first-ever state wrestling champion has died.
Paul Hassman, who won the 155-pound title in 1933, passed away Thursday at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab at the age of 108. He was the oldest living state wrestling champ in Iowa and the country at the time of his death.
Hassman was active throughout his life, having ridden in RAGBRAI at age 71 and he was helping deliver meals on wheels to area residents at 91. In 2008, he was a Character Counts Award winner.
Hassman’s son, Gordon, was a state wrestling champion in 1960 and won an NCAA title wrestling for Iowa State in 1964. Gordon Hassman was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996.
Funeral arrangements for Paul Hassman are pending with Conway-Markham Funeral Home.
