Louis Balbach

Louis James Balbach (May 23, 1896 – October 11, 1943) was an American diver who won a bronze medal in the 1920 Summer Olympics.^[1]

Louis Balbach

Personal information
Born	(1896-05-23)May 23, 1896 San Jose, California, United States
Died	October 11, 1943(1943-10-11) (aged 47) Portland, Oregon, United States
Sport
Sport	Diving
Medal record Representing  United States Olympic Games 1920 Antwerp 3 m springboard

He was the son of Louis Augusta Balbach (1868-1908) and Nettie Viola (Bonar) Balbach (1873-1958), and grandson of pioneer California settler John Balbach.

Louis James Balbach was a well known swimmer and diver in the Portland area, doing well in many competitions. He first came to national prominence as a teenager after winning the diving competition at the 1915 San Francisco World's Fair. He won an athletic scholarship to Columbia College (of Columbia University, New York), with whose team he went to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. He won the bronze medal in the 3 m springboard competition. In the 10 metre platform event he finished sixth. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to practice law in Portland.^[2][3]

References

1. "Louis Balbach". Olympedia. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
2. Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Columbia College, for the Year 1920-1921. Columbia University. 1921. p. 277.
3. "Louis Balbach". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2024-08-01.