Walter Laufer

Walter Laufer (July 5, 1906 – July 16, 1984) was an American swimmer who competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. He won a gold medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and a silver in the 100 meter backstroke. He was also fifth in the 100 meter freestyle event.^[2] Laufer was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1973.^[1]

Walter Laufer

Laufer in 1926
Personal information
Full name	Walter Laufer
National team	United States
Born	(1906-07-05)July 5, 1906 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 16, 1984(1984-07-16) (aged 78) Midland, Texas, U.S.
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	Cincinnati YMCA Chicago Lakeshore Athletic Club[1]
Coach	Fred Pfiefer Stanley Brauninger[1]
Medal record Representing the United States Olympic Games 1928 Amsterdam 4×200 m freestyle 1928 Amsterdam 100 m backstroke

Personal life

Laufer was married three times. He married Geneivieve Kleinofen around 1929 and had two children with her – a son and a daughter. Genievieve contracted intestinal influenza and died of complications from the disease January 8, 1934. In 1936, Laufer married Marion Hengestenberg; they had one daughter. Marion died suddenly in 1972. Two years later in 1974 Walter married Wanda Cord Bockhorst, a widow living in Cincinnati. Laufer died on July 16, 1984, at age 78 in Midland, Texas while visiting his son.

See also

• List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
• World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay

References

1. "Walter Laufer (USA)". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
2. Walter Laufer – Olympic athlete profile at Sports-Reference.com