San Francisco Chronicle – April 21, 1933
NEW YORK, April 20 (AP)–Dr. Benjamin Franklin Roller, who retired from the wrestling game when he was 39 years old to begin a career as a surgeon, is dead at the age of 57.
He died of pneumonia in Doctors Hospital.
It was while he was professor of physiology and supervisor of sports at the University of Washington that Dr. Roller became a professional wrestler. He won his first match in 17 minutes and received $1,600.
He wrestled Frank Gotch, who promised to throw him twice in an hour. Gotch didn’t throw him and Roller made $4,000. During the next five years, he met and defeated many of the heavyweight stars. Roller weighed more than 200 pounds.
He established his surgical practice here in 1915. He was formerly a member of the Lunacy Commission of the State of Washington.
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