The International Swimming Hall of Fame is saddened to announce that Bob Duenkel (Robert “Bob” Duenkel), a long time employee of the organization, has passed away this morning after a long illness. He was 74 years old.
Bob Duenkel had a love of swimming for most of life. He began swimming for the YMCA of New Jersey, went on to swim through high school where in 1960, he was a State Record Holder, a New Jersey AAU Junior and Senior Champion. He attended Kansas State University was a many time record holder, a multi award winner in swimming and played on the first ever KSU water polo team. After graduating from KSU with both an undergraduate and Masters Degree in Physical Education, Bob moved to Fort Lauderdale. He taught at Northeast High School as a Physical Education Teacher, worked as a water safety instructor and worked for the Fort Lauderdale Beach Patrol, all before “Buck” Dawson convinced him to work as his assistant at Hall of Fame in 1976.
The ISHOF position afforded Bob the opportunity to work exclusively in the field of his passion – swimming. He had time to train as a Masters swimmer in the Hall of Fame Pool and coach swimming at Broward Community College. In 1978 he was named National Junior College Swimming Coach of the Year. In the summer of 1976 he also took over the running of Dawson’s Camp Chikopi, a boys Sports and Wilderness Camp in Ontario, Canada. Chikopi was also the world’s first swimming camp, founded in 1920 by US Olympic swimming coach, Matt Mann, Dawson’s father-in-law. When Dawson passed away he left the camp to Bob and his wife Colette, who has been running it during Bob’s illness.
Photo Courtesy: International Swimming Hall of Fame
Bob’s great contribution to swimming however, was his 40+ years of dedication and service to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. As Dawson’s assistant he absorbed the history of swimming like a sponge, not just from Dawson, but through the lips of Johnny Weissmuller, Eleanor Holm, Buster Crabbe, Esther Williams and many, many more. His knowledge of swimming history was encyclopedic. He studied and knew about the minutest details about swimming and swimmers, from the ancient Greek swimmer Leander to the most recent inductee, every Olympiad, every event, every time and every stroke. He was museum curator and presided over 40 years of ISHOF Induction ceremonies. From 2004-2005 he served as interim CEO and served Executive Director until his retirement in 2016. There will never be another person more knowledgeable about every aspect of aquatics than Bob Duenkel.
“Bob was a dear friend, co-worker and undoubtedly the ‘Heart and Soul of the Hall of Fame,’” says Laurie Marchwinski, ISHOF COO. “On behalf of all the ISHOF staff, it was an honor and privilege to work with Bob. He leaves behind a legacy that will always be remembered.”
“Beyond his contribution of preserving swimming history for future generations,” says Bruce Wigo, ISHOF’s past CEO, “Bob was the most unselfish caring person in the world and I will forever be indebted to him for sharing his passion for swimming history.”
“When I go through life and think about what the nicest person in the world would do,” says long time friend Tom Giovine, founder of Giovine Capital Management, “I think of Bob Duenkel.”
“I’ll always remember Bob as somebody who really cared about people,” says 1980 Olympian and World Record holder Craig Beardsley.
In 1988 Bob coached the US team to the FINA Long Distance Cup Championships. In 1997 he was named in Aquatic’s International Magazine as a “Who’s Who in Aquatics. In 1997, Bob received the Glen S. Hummer Award, given by USA swimming to the person or group making the greatest contribution to long distance swimming. In 1998 he was elected Treasurer of the Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fames (now ISHA). In 1999 he was inducted into the Orange, New Jersey Atletics Hall of Fame, along with his sister, who won the Olympic 400 meter freestyle at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Bob is survived by his wife Colette, daughter Teagan, of Fort Lauderdale, sister Ginny Fuldner and brother Richard Duenkel.
Duenkel was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in October 2018.
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Think of Colette, Teagan and the Chikopi Family
this was a very special person indeed. A wonderful role model.
I am truly sorry to hear of Bob’s passing today. Bob was a huge supporter of NISCA and High School Swimming and Diving. Every time I visited the HOF, I always enjoyed the time I spent with him. My condolences to his family. We lost a great man today! RIP Bob.
Thoughts and prayers from all of us at Camp Longhorn and Texas Swimming. Bob was a treasure and I appreciate his friendship.
Honoured to know Bob from his time at Chikopi.
I am so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I’ve know him since I was a kid and he was always so kind, happy and gracious. RIP Bob, and my deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn in the swimming community.
We will miss you. Thank you for always being kind. Say hello to Buck!
He was such a truly nice guy Sending prayers to his family and the swimming community.
As Tom Giovine said it, Bob was the nicest person i the whole world. We will all miss him greatly.
So saddened about Bob’s passing. He was, by all standards, the Best of the Best! He mentored so many young men, in his unselfish guidance. He will always be remembered in Ahmic Harbour as a Giver and Sharer. Ours hearts go out to Colette and Teagan in this time of reflection.
RIP Bob you will missed by many boys who have followed your lead into manhood. You were a huge roll model in my life ,we hadn’t spoke in years but I always spoke of you throughout my life . Thankful to have had you in my early years gave me that competitive heart I have today.
this was a very special person indeed. A wonderful role model.
My two boys are the men they are today because of Bob! Honoured to have known him through his years with Camp Chikopi
The words are hard to say…so long, Bob, we miss you already
I have no words! You will be missed Bob. I first met you at camp and then visited you when we had our swim training trips in Florida. My heart breaks with this news. Rest in peace.
Bob was a man that knew your name from being at camp even though it was 30 years ago. The news of his passing took my breath away. Thank you for all of your lessons my friend
Thank you Bob for everything you did for swimming and especially at Camp Chikopi. We will remember you. The Yaremczuk family
I’m stunned. I swam for Coach Duenkel, ’71-’72 and ’72-’73, at Northeast High. While it’s been decades since we were in touch, I’ve often thought of him over the years. My thoughts are with his family.
Every loving and gracious comment about Bob is still an understatement of what a loss this is. A truly thoughtful and selfless man, friend to all, an absolute gentleman. Privileged like so many others to call him friend. Godspeed.
Memory Eternal
Such a physically strong man Bob was while here amongst us. His personality addictive due to his kind and gentle nature. Crossing his path was always a highlight of any day. Having had the pleasure to interact with Bob during my thirty years in Aquatics with the City of Ft Lauderdale, be it at The Hall Of Fame Pool, Lauderdale High School Pool or Ocean Rescue Headquarters, he will be in my memories with deepest admiration.
Rest In Peace my friend. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. Bob will be sorely missed.
Bob had the biggest smile and the biggest heart of any man I have ever known. He had an important, positive and powerful impact on the lives of a multitude. Camp Chikopi and the entire swimming world will miss him greatly.
Thoughts and prayers! Best summers of my life.
Thoughts and prayers to Ginny and the rest of the Duenkel family. Bob will be missed by all in aquatics.
RIP Bob. You were a great man who cast a large shadow and had a lasting impact on my life. I was at Chikopi from ’80-’82. This summer, I’m sending my son. I’m so sad that he won’t get to meet you but I’m comforted that he’ll benefit from your legacy. Thanks for everything and especially for the example of a life well lived.
Lots of good memories of Bob and Camp Chickopi, he will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family. He made a lot of people’s summers special, I will look for him in the sky as the stars beam down on us.
Bob made me the person I am today.
Bob had a passion for swimming history beyond the sport. He was always in a great and loving mood. He did so much for marathon swimming it inspired many of us to do more.
Bobs smile, his energy, his enthusiasm and wonderful facilities at Camp Chickopi encouraged not only campers but at least one USA national team to train and prepare for international competition there.
You will never be forgotten my friend.
Blessings to your family.
Bob, was a great man and true friend to everyone in swimming. Bob gave so much of himself to everyone and the sport he loved, swimming!
My deepest sympathies to Bob’ s family and brother Dick and sister Ginny. Our family’s were friends and Bob was instrumental in getting me into high school swimming. We had great times including winning the New Jersey state championships. We spent many hours contributing our time to the Orange YMCA. Although we lost contact after college years, I will always remember Bob as a kind compassionate young man. RIP Bob. Your career speaks to itself and you have left a positive mark in the spinning world.
Bob was a quiet, decent and humble person in all that he accomplished. A great role model. I wish there were more people like him. It was a privilege to have known him.
Bob we love you so much. Death is so unfair very often. People like you should never physically die. I say physically because your spirit and legacy will remain immortal. As I quote in my in-press book “Charlie the Savior” legends are not made by what is engraved in monuments, but by what is woven into the hearts of those we touched before we are gone! You are certainly one of them. I send my love from Greece to all your family (wife, daughter) and our ISHOF family! God bless you my friend.