Jake Pappenheim (aka Kurt von Poppenheim) 1914-2003
After 7 years of wrestling as an amateur, under his name, Jake Pappenheim, Jake entered the professional wrestling arena on January 3, 1944. He soon became well known throughout the Pacific Northwest and subsequently established a name for himself in the annals of professional wrestling as Kurt von Poppenheim. His enduring talent, stamina, and excellent physical condition enabled him to sustain an outstanding 19-year, 4-month professional career, from which he retired on May 10, 1963. During those 19-plus years, he competed in 1,122 matches—fewer than 2% of professional wrestlers have competed in more than 1,000 matches—in various venues throughout the U.S., including New York City’s world-famous Madison Square Garden.
On a prominent wall near the dressing rooms, in a fine portrait of action in Madison Square Garden, his caricature appears with a group of other wrestlers, drawn by sports artist Ted Lewin.
In addition to New York and his many appearances in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, Kurt demonstrated impressive wrestling skills in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee.
In the course of his incredible career, having been named Pacific Northwest Wrestler of the Year—five times—Kurt’s remarkable talent and skill, including his match-winning hold, The Iron Crossbow, earned him 19 Championship Titles.
Vancouver (B.C.) Northwest Tag Team Title 1952, 1953, 1959
NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title 1952, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959(2), 1960, 1962
Intermountain Junior Heavyweight Title 1954, 1956
Vancouver (B.C.) Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title 1954(2), 1956, 1957
Vancouver (B.C.) Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title 1958
NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title 1959 (NWA: National Wrestling Alliance)
In 1998, Kurt was inducted into the Old Time Wrestler’s Hall of Fame to honor his career as a professional wrestler.
Also, in 1998, Kurt was recognized for his contribution to professional wrestling when the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) presented him with the Golden Potato Award for excellence. This award is only given on the rarest of occasions to people who have reached a new level of greatness.
Outside the ring, besides commanding respect, Kurt was known by friends and family for his kind and gentle demeanor.
On a prominent wall near the dressing rooms, in a fine portrait of action in Madison Square Garden, his caricature appears with a group of other wrestlers, drawn by sports artist Ted Lewin.
In addition to New York and his many appearances in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, Kurt demonstrated impressive wrestling skills in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee.
In the course of his incredible career, having been named Pacific Northwest Wrestler of the Year—five times—Kurt’s remarkable talent and skill, including his match-winning hold, The Iron Crossbow, earned him 19 Championship Titles.
Vancouver (B.C.) Northwest Tag Team Title 1952, 1953, 1959
NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title 1952, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959(2), 1960, 1962
Intermountain Junior Heavyweight Title 1954, 1956
Vancouver (B.C.) Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title 1954(2), 1956, 1957
Vancouver (B.C.) Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title 1958
NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title 1959 (NWA: National Wrestling Alliance)
In 1998, Kurt was inducted into the Old Time Wrestler’s Hall of Fame to honor his career as a professional wrestler.
Also, in 1998, Kurt was recognized for his contribution to professional wrestling when the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) presented him with the Golden Potato Award for excellence. This award is only given on the rarest of occasions to people who have reached a new level of greatness.
Outside the ring, besides commanding respect, Kurt was known by friends and family for his kind and gentle demeanor.
Notes
Jacob "Jake" Pappenheim was born on March 28, 1914, in Portland, Oregon, the son of Jacob Pappenheim (born 1883 in Brunnental, Russia) and Maria Elisabeth Linker (born 1885 in Brunnental, Russia). Jake's parents immigrated to the United States in February 1912 and settled in Portland. Jake married Flora Luella Helzer on September 26, 1931. Having lived a full life, Jake died on May 1, 2003.
Sources
This story was written by Melvin W. Cook, nephew of Jake Pappenheim on October 16, 2012 and published with his permission. According to Mel Cook, Kurt von Poppenheim owned the Airport Tavern and the Wilshire Tavern.
A brief biography of Kurt von Poppenheim's career from the book Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling by Harris M. Lentz, III.
A brief biography of Kurt von Poppenheim's career from the book Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling by Harris M. Lentz, III.
Last updated October 23, 2023