Professor Emeritus and Hall of Fame men’s swimming coach Vic Gustafson ’42 passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the age of 95.
Following his graduation from Gustavus in the spring of 1942, Professor Gustafson served in World War II flying U.S. Navy aircraft, before returning to Gustavus in 1945 to teach physical education and coach the men’s swimming team.
He served as swimming coach at Gustavus from 1945-77 and his teams won eight MIAC championships, including five straight from 1956-60. He received the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Distinguished Coach Award in 1973 and served as a member of the NCAA Swimming Rules Committee from 1967-77.
Along with his impressive tenure as the men’s swimming coach, Professor Gustafson also coached track and field, hockey, golf, tennis, and cross country at the College. He served as Associate Professor of Physical Education and was the Outdoor Education Specialist for the department – an area for which he was regionally recognized as an outstanding professional. Professor Gustafson was inducted into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979.
He is preceded in death by his wife Betty and survived by his three children – Jerry ’66, Judy ’68, and Jan ’74 – along with many other friends and relatives. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Linnaeus Arboretum.
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