About John Terpak
Lived 1912 – 1993 (aged 80). John Terpak was an American weightlifter.
John Basil Terpak (July 4, 1912 – June 1, 1993) was an American world champion weightlifter.
Early life Terpak's father was Ukrainian-born and worked in Pennsylvania's coal mines. Terpak pursued weightlifting in his youth and was noticed by Bob Hoffman in 1935 when he won the Junior Nationals lightweight class in Philadelphia. Hoffman recruited Terpak to work for York Barbell, where he became general manager in 1939.
World Championship results He won a gold medal at the 1937 World Weightlifting Championships and 1947 World Weightlifting Championships, a bronze medal at the 1938 World Weightlifting Championships, and a silver medal at the 1946 World Weightlifting Championships.
Coaching Terpak was a U.S. Olympic coach in 1968 and 1972. He was also a coach for two-time Olympic champion Charles Vinci.
Personal life He was a vice president, CEO, and chairman of the board at York Barbell.
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Important facts
People in John Terpak's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Terpak?
American weightlifter (1912–1993)
When was John Terpak born?
John Terpak was born on 4 July 1912 in Mayfield.
When did John Terpak die?
John Terpak died on 1 June 1993 in York.
What was John Terpak's occupation?
John Terpak was a weightlifter.
What nationality was John Terpak?
John Terpak was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Terpak. https://biography.guide/john-terpak/
MLA: "John Terpak." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-terpak/.
Chicago: "John Terpak." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-terpak/.
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