Don Reinhoudt served as a motivational speaker for many years.

Don Reinhoudt, a Brocton native and known for winning World’s Strongest Man in 1979, passed away this week.

According to State Police in Fredonia, Reinhoudt was involved in a one-vehicle collision on Glasgow Road in the town of Pomfret around 10:40 a.m. Monday. The investigation determined the 2019 Jeep was traveling northbound on Glasgow Road and exited the west shoulder of the road striking a tree. Reinhoudt was transported to Brooks-TLC Hospital System Inc. in Dunkirk where he was later pronounced deceased.

Reinhoudt, 78, was inducted into the National Strength and Power Hall of Fame in 2018. In the same year, he was named in the Top 10 All-Time Strongman of the Century by the International Powerlifting Federation. He also served as the director of the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau for a number of years.

Even during his time competing, Reinhoudt would provide motivational presentations that used to feature him showing off his strength. A typical show some 15 years ago would consist of him splitting license plates, bending metal pipes and ripping phone books with his bare hands.

His list of accomplishments over the years include a 2,500-pound car lift; a 1,000-pound back lift; a 20,000-pound truck pull; a 10,000-pound tram pull; a 350-pound log lift; a 300-pound barrel lift; and a 175-pound dumbbell press.

Reinhoudt’s successes, however, go way beyond the platform. He received the coveted White House Commendation from President Ronald Reagan, was given the keys to the cities of Jamestown and Buffalo, has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the World Powerlifting Hall of Fame (1998), International Powerlifting Federation Hall of Fame (1980), Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2005), United States Powerlifting Hall of Fame and the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame (1983), and has been featured in every strength magazine of the era.

“Don Reinhoudt has been my friend, coach and mentor for years, and I always cherish the opportunity to spend time with him,” fellow Hall of Famer Bill Clark said in 2016. “Don is a true legend and pioneer of strength sports, but the man is much, much more than a mere legacy of numbers. I believe that one can tell much about a person based on the way that he treats others when he is in an advantaged position. Well, when you’re 6-foot,3-inches, weigh in excess of 300 pounds, and can pick up automobiles, you are usually in an advantaged position. Nonetheless, Don treats everyone that he meets with the kindness and respect of a foreign dignitary, like they were made of gold.”

This story will be updated.