RIP Rocky -
From Lonnie Teper
Re: Bodybuilder Rocky Nehk
According to Tad Inoue, Nehk's best friend and trainer, Nehk suffered a torn esophogaus after a severe coughing episode on New Year's eve. He went to the local ER, and during surgery to try to repair the injury went into cardiac arrest and died on the operating table. Nehk was 59.
"It was very sad for me," said Inoue from his Tempe, AZ home. "I trained and coached Rocky for 20 years up until he passed last week. Rocky was literally like a brother. We planned on doing more shows this year, too. I had just talked to him on the phone a day before planning this next prep." Those who followed Nehk's career knew he suffered a massive heart attack seven years ago. I asked Inoue if that played a part in the death.
"We knew about the heart condition, and I guess it's possible it may have contributed to it, but we have not been told there's was any connection," said Inoue. "It was a fluke thing. We took lots of precautions with training and his diet. He actually looked his best the last two years!".
Nehk, who lived in Meneffe, CA, was a standout on stage. Especially at my NPC West Coast Classic, where the dominated the Masters 50+ in 2011 and 2015. At 5'5" and 175 pounds, Nehk went on to win the Masters 50+ at the Masters Nationals in 2011.
Rocky Nehk, RIP.
