Hall of Fame Bullfighter Wick Peth Passes Away
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Melvin “Wick” Peth was the original bullfighter, the man credited with changing the job from part-time clown into full-time protector, passed away Dec. 27. He was 89.
Peth was the first real specialist, a pure bullfighter and the first to earn a living that way. His 37-year career ended in 1985, six years after he was part of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in Colorado Springs, Colo.
There will be a celebration of Peth’s life on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m. PT, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge in Anacortes, Wash.
Peth had no interest in being funny for rodeo audiences, although that was part of the job when he quit riding bulls and concentrated on saving bull riders. “I was about as funny as a funeral in the rain,” he was fond of saying.
Born April 15, 1930, in Mount Vernon, Wash., to parents John and Florence Peth of Bow, Wash., Wick resided his entire life on their family farm and cattle ranch near Edison, where he and his brothers acquired a tough work ethic.
During his early rodeo travels, Wick met Dorothy Hanberg of Bremerton, Wash. They married in 1951 and made their new home on the farm where they raised their children. He kept his lifetime habit of helping on the farm as much as possible, even through his latest years with his son and grandson. His love and support of all his children and grandchildren’s endeavors was endless.
Peth continued working with his father and brothers as John Peth & Sons, Inc. for many decades. As their interest in rodeos increased through the 1940s, Wick found bull riding to be his favorite event.
That fueled his ambition to become a bullfighter. He devoted considerable time and energy studying bulls and their behavior knowing he could better protect the riders. He soon became renowned nationwide as a pioneer in professional rodeo bullfighting, working and performing throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Peck was featured in LIFE magazine in 1963. He didn’t smoke or drink, worked hard to stay in shape, and was serious about his job of protecting cowboys in the arena. Stocky and strong at 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds, Peth played harder than some cowboys fought, and was frequently wrestling or roughhousing.
He also had a knack for turning back bulls and saving hung-up or fallen bull riders. His courage and expertise were appreciated by the cowboys, including fellow ProRodeo Hall of Famer Larry Mahan, the two-time bull riding champion and six-time all-around world champion.
“I felt during that time, or even possibly in this time, that Wick was probably one of the greatest athletes rodeo has ever known,” Mahan told ProRodeo Sports News in 1998. “He was in far better shape than anybody out there competing. An incredible athlete, very tough physically and mentally.”
In the same story, Peth said, “I was never really satisfied with my performance. I always knew I could get better.”
By the end of 1978, he had been elected bullfighter for the NFR seven times. On his plaque at the Hall of Fame, it says the only reason he didn’t make it every year was to give the other guys a chance at the job.
In addition to being inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Peth also was inducted into the National Cowboy Museum Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, and numerous U.S. cities’ Rodeo Halls of Fame.
The countless friendships he made in the sport, whether competitors or fans, were something he always cherished.
Peth was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents; brothers, Jerry and Ted; sisters Darlene Benson and Sharon Anderson; and beloved nephews, Kirk, Kim, Brian, and Brad.
Peth is survived by his children and spouses, Liza Bott (Ron), Dan Peth (Rondi) and Lana Peth (Henry Milczuk); grandchildren Karlyn Huddy, Eric Bott, Ria Peth and Owen Peth; four great-grandchildren; brother Dale Peth; brother-in-law Donald Hanberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the loving staff at Birchview Memory Care in Sedro Woolley, Wash., where Peth enjoyed living his final four months. A private family interment will be held.
Memorials are suggested to Skagit County Historical Museum or Youthnet Northwest. Share remembrances of his life at kernfuneralhome.com.
Courtesy of PRCA