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In The Wrestling Ring, Doug Lindzy Was Known As 'The Pro'

Posted: Nov 7th 2013 By: CMBurnham

Wrestling fans knew him as ?Doug Gilbert ? The Professional? or simply ?The Pro? ? as he appeared in the ring all over the U.S. and Canada.

Douglas Allan ?The Pro? Lindzy, 76, died Monday at the Nebraska Medical Center of Alzheimer's disease, said son Stephen Lindzy of Omaha.

A funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. today at St. Rose Catholic Church, 4102 S. 13th St.

Lindzy grew up in Mishawaka, Ind., where, as a teenager, he became friends with wrestler Lou Thesz, the son said.

?He saw the excitement of it and decided that's what he wanted to do, and that's what he did,? the son said.

Doug Lindzy wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance and the Worldwide Wrestling Federation, the latter now known as World Wrestling Entertainment or WWE. Then he moved his family to Omaha to work for the American Wrestling Federation.

During his career, he body-slammed Andr? the Giant and defeated Dutch Savage, among many others.

Lindzy retired from wrestling in 1980 after a two-decade career and opened Doug's Gym & Fitness Center in South Omaha.

Lindzy ?loved to work out and he loved to take care of himself. He loved health,? his son said. He held the Mr. America Over 35 title in the 1980s.

?He was a very, very gentle man,? said his son.

Besides son Stephen, other survivors include his wife of 40 years, Anne Marie Lindzy of Omaha; daughter Theresa Rider of Logan, Iowa; son Michael Lindzy of Columbus, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.