Rudolf Schrader facts for kids

Rudolf Schrader (sometimes spelled Rudolph) was an amazing American gymnast. He was born on March 17, 1875, and lived until January 18, 1981. This means he lived to be 105 years old! He competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics held in St. Louis. Rudolf was a member of the Turnverein Vorwärts club. He placed seventh with his team and also took part in three individual gymnastics events. His best individual result was 68th place in the gymnastic triathlon.

Rudolf was born in Germany. He moved to the United States when he was 15 years old. There, he worked as a cabinetmaker while also training hard as a gymnast. After the Olympics, he started working for a big company called Sears. He stayed with Sears until he retired at the age of 65. For many years, Rudolf Schrader was known as the longest-living Olympian. He held this record until March 2013, when another Olympian, Walter Walsh, lived even longer.

Early Life and Moving to America

Rudolf Schrader was born in a city called Magdeburg in Germany. This was on March 17, 1875. When he was young, he joined a gymnastics club there called Arbeiter Turnverein. He also began learning a trade as an apprentice cabinetmaker.

Later, Rudolf traveled to Chicago in the United States. His relatives who already lived in America helped him with money for the trip. In Chicago, he quickly joined a new gymnastics club, the Turnverein Vorwärts. He continued his gymnastics training and competitions. He worked as a cabinetmaker to pay back the money his relatives had lent him.

Competing in Gymnastics

Rudolf Schrader first competed in a local German gymnastics tournament, called a Turnfest, in 1895. This was when he was a senior gymnast. He then took part in his first national Turnfest in 1897.

After competing in the national Turnfest in 1900, he went on to the 1904 Summer Olympics. At the Olympics, his team finished seventh. There were thirteen American clubs competing in the men's team event.

Rudolf also competed in individual events at the Olympics:

• He placed 84th in the men's all-around.
• He finished 68th in the gymnastic men's triathlon.
• He tied for 95th place in the athletic men's triathlon.

After his time as a competitive gymnast, Rudolf helped manage different sports clubs.

Life After the Olympics

Rudolf Schrader worked as a cabinetmaker for the company Sears. He started there in 1906 and worked until he retired in 1940. He turned 100 years old in March 1975. Even at the age of 103, he was still riding his bicycle!

Rudolf passed away in Berwyn, Illinois, on January 18, 1981. He was 105 years and 307 days old. This made him the longest-living Olympian for more than 32 years. His record was finally broken in March 2013 by an Olympic shooter from the United States named Walter Walsh.