Jim Penfield, Masters Record-Holder and US Ambassador, Passes Away at 96 -- November 11, 2004

SEATTLE, November 11. JIM Penfield, a retired Foreign Service officer and former United States ambassador who also holds six USMS national records in the 90-94 age group, passed away in September. He was 96.

Jim entered the Foreign Service soon after graduating from Stanford University in 1929 and had a remarkable professional diplomatic career. His postings included Mexico, China, Greenland, Prague, Vienna and Athens. From 1961 to 1966 he was U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.

In 1970, Jim retired with his wife to Longbranch, Wash. He was a member of the Washington Athletic Club, where he trained for international swimming competitions, winning numerous medals.

Jim’s USMS national records in the 90-94 age group include the 50 back (SCY) (55.26), the 50 breast (SCY) (57.65), the 100 breast (SCY) (2:27.59), 50 breast (LCM) (1:09.80), 50 breast (SCM) (1:07.22), and the 100 breast (SCM) (2:45.20).