Otto Funk was a German-American violinist who gained fame (including an entry in the Guinness Book of Records in 1977) for playing the fiddle while walking every step of the way from New York to San Francisco in 1928–29. He was 60 years old at the time of his marathon walk. He stood five feet two inches tall, and weighed approximately 100 pounds.

In the era of roller derbies, 30-day dance contests and walkathons, Otto Funk’s whimsical journey was an attempt to draw attention to his abilities as an old-time fiddler and durable walker.