Vern Weaver (May 18, 1937-July 25, 1993), the 1963 AAU Mr. America describes how at 16 he began his quest to win the Mr. America:
IT WAS a very hot Friday afternoon in August, 1953. Jules Bacon backed his LaSalle into our driveway to deliver a long awaited York Big 12 Special. He got out of the car, opened the trunk, and dumped a 100-pound box on the ground. Then he handed me the bar and other accessories. As he was getting back into his car, Jules said, 'I hope you will win Mr. 'A' someday!' From that very day I've had a burning desire to do just that, but little did I dream then that 10 years would pass before Jules' offhand remark became reality.
His measurements at that time were: 12½" neck, 36" chest, 12½" biceps, 25" waist, 19" thigh, and 13" calf. His body weight was 172 pounds, and he began to compete in lifting and physique contests, yet from 1956 to 1958 he couldn't gain a single pound of body weight. But living in York, Pennsylvania and after winning several local titles Bob Hoffman decided to encourage him by sending him to compete in the 1958 Mr. America contest though he still only weighed 175 pounds.
After disappointing placings in 1958 and 1959, Vern describes his disappointment:
In the autumn of that year domestic problems led to some very trying times. I lost all interest in training. New goals replaced old goals. By the spring of 1960 my bodyweight was down to 170 pounds. My life was a total wreck. I had no place in life because I had forgotten what I really wanted out of life. I'll never forget the day someone walked up to me and said, "Didn't you used to be Vern Weaver?" My reply to that one was, 'I think so.'
I spent the summers of 1960 and 1961 in Hollywood trying to convince myself that I wanted to become an actor. What for I'll never know. Each of those winters I returned to New York City, pursuing the same goal. The fact that I studied with star personalities such as Tuesday Weld and Paula Prentiss really didn't improve my acting any.
In time I came to realize that an acting career was not for me. But this did not solve my basic problem, for I had absolutely no idea what I wanted out of life. I worked many jobs with no satisfaction whatsoever. Two years had passed since I had a good workout. Then, in the spring of 1962, I decided to make a comeback in the muscle world.
Losing again in 1962, Vern explained: If ever in my life I felt the bitter taste of defeat it was then. Little consolation was afforded as I told myself that I was beaten by the best America had to offer. The thought of giving it all up for a lost cause crossed my mind.
Yet he decided to give it one more chance and changed his training from 3 days a week to six entering the contest at a lean 205 pounds, and it worked! His dream was finally realized as he became the 1963 AAU Mr. America. It was not an easy win nor one without controversy.
1. Vern Weaver, Dover, Pa. 92½
2. Harold Poole, Indianapolis, Ind. 89½
3. Craig Whitehead, New Orleans 89
4. John Gourgott, New Orleans 88½
5. William Seno, Melrose Pk. Ill. 86
In fact, his win was met with much booing, and even Peary Rader stated, I did not agree with the final decision of the placings, even though I was a judge. In fact, the overwhelming majority of people, including Peary Rader, thought that Harold Poole, the winner of the Most Muscular title, should have also won the overall Mr. America title. Poole would be so disgusted with this decision that he would quit the AAU and enter the IFBB Mr. Universe that same year and beat Larry Scott, the IFBB MR. America, for that title. The next year Poole would win the IFBB Mr. America.
As indicated below, Vern would then make 3 failed attempts at the NABBA Mr. Universe title.
1958 Mr America - AAU, 7th
Junior Mr America - AAU, East , 2nd
1959 Mr America - AAU, 5th
Junior Mr America - AAU, 2nd
1962 Mr America - AAU, 4th
Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 3rd
Mr North America - AAU, 2nd
1963 Mr America - AAU, Winner
Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1964 Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 1st
1966 Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
Though he would be a prodigious author writing countless article on bodybuilding and training, evidently he felt quite often lost in life lacking a sense of belonging. In fact, his searching for a purpose in life seemed to be endless.
Unfortunately, he seems to never have found that purpose he was looking for, and according to the York Daily Record Vern Weaver died of self-inflicted wounds at Gifford Pinchot State Park on July 25, 1993, between 4:15 p.m. and 8 p.m.
