Walter Laufer

Walter Laufer

Personal information
Nationality	United States
Born	(1906-07-05)July 5, 1906 Cincinnati, Ohio
Died	September 1, 1984(1984-09-01) (aged 78) Midland, Texas
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	Olympic Club
Medal record Men's swimming Representing the United States Olympic Games 1928 Amsterdam 4x200 m freestyle 1928 Amsterdam 100 m backstroke

Walter Laufer (July 5, 1906 – September 1, 1984) was an American competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.

In the 1928 Olympics he won a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay event and silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke event. He was also fifth in the 100-meter freestyle event.

Laufer was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1973.

Personal life

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Laufer was married three times. He married Geneivieve Kleinofen around 1929 and had two children with her, Walter Adam Laufer, Jr. (born February 1, 1931), and Nancy Louise Laufer (born July 16, 1932). Genievieve contracted intestinal influenza and died of complications from the disease January 8, 1934.

In 1936, Laufer married Marion Hengestenberg. They had one daughter, Susan Lee Laufer (born August 23, 1938). Marion died suddenly in 1972.

Two years later in 1974 Walter married Wanda Cord Bockhorst, a widow living in Cincinnati.

Laufer died July 16, 1984 at age 78 in Midland, Texas while visiting his son. He is buried in Cincinnati, Ohio.

See also

• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
• World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay

External links

• Walter Laufer – Olympic athlete profile at Sports-Reference.com
• Walter Laufer (USA) – Honor Swimmer profile at International Swimming Hall of Fame