Walter Hellman (June 15, 1916 - July 28, 1975) is the longest reigning world checkers champion ever. He held the title from 1948 - 1955 and from 1958 - 1975. Hellman was born in Gamla Nordsjö, Sweden and moved to Gary, Indiana in 1926. Hellman lost only one World Title match, in 1955 to Marion Tinsley.