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| Scot Killmeyer (l) and Shawn Patrick. Photo courtesy of Shawn Patrick's FB. |
By Trapper Tom, Editor
The news was shocking. Earlier this week, the “Patron Saint
of Wrestling” Shawn Patrick dropped information that Scot Killmeyer had
suddenly passed away. Patrick called Scot “my buddy,” as if that term didn’t
extend to everyone he has met over a three-decade Hall of Fame career as a
wrestler, executive and most notably, a referee.
No one could really pinpoint where “Scot with one T” came
from or when exactly he started coming to independent wrestling shows in and
around Pittsburgh. But everyone knew Scot and had a story.
He preferred matches that were closer to his home north of
Pittsburgh, but he could be seen in crowd shots in all four corners from
downtown.
In an era where fans attend shows and expect to ultimately
be part of the production, there was Killmeyer, 67, the Pittsburgh born and
Butler bred fan, always well-groomed, dressed in a tee shirt and jeans, and
polite in the sincerest of terms. “He just wanted to talk to people,” said
Patrick. And talk he did.
Scot would ask wrestlers, staffers and other regular fans
how they were doing. He never had a suggestion for a finishing move, and he’d
never overstep common decorum to write self-serving manifestos on how fans
should behave. Scot did not have a selfish bone in his body. He just wanted to
be around people.
Killmeyer arrived in a pickup truck, sometimes hours before
doors opened and materialized, ticket in hand, at ringside. Bespectacled, with
a small smile and soft demeanor, Scot Killmeyer would ask a wrestler how they
were doing. Honestly.
In Pittsburgh’s Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA),
Killmeyer fit right alongside well-meaning staples like the late “Gentleman”
Joe Perri, who would just as soon get a recap of someone’s life away from the
squared circle than action in it.
Once when KSWA Owner Bobby O was attacked in the ring by
hooligans and wasn’t around for an event or two, Killmeyer, with the most earnest
look on his face, queried about his condition. Until Bobby O returned.
Killmeyer worried about his friends.
When Killmeyer didn’t drive, he oftentimes rode to events
with Shawn Patrick. That’s right. Patrick routinely meets fans for a carpool
somewhere before he showed up at Pittsburgh’s official wrestling group as a
referee or as the organization’s inaugural and last “Chairman of the KSWA
Championship Committee.” Patrick’s stable of friends remains endless and
without comparison. Of course, Shawn and Scot were great friends.
Patrick was unconsolable after talking with Killmeyer’s
sister and his sudden passing. The two were making plans to attend a wrestling
show, but Scot’s demise left his pal reeling. Patrick profusely apologized for
the tears of losing his friend. Everyone understood and empathized.
Scot’s obituary stated that before retirement he had worked
as a delivery driver and serviceman for Union Chill Mat Company. He had other hobbies, but none were as important
as wrestling.
When the KSWA had its final show in December of 2025,
Killmeyer went around to wrestlers and staffers and persistently asked for
their phone numbers. While the promotion was going away, he said he wanted to “keep
in touch.” And he did. He called and when they could, wrestlers spoke to
Killmeyer, who once again simply wanted to talk and see how you were doing.
Rest in peace, Scot with One T.
