Walter Laufer

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
Coach	Fred Pfiefer Stanley Brauninger
Medal record Representing the United States Olympic Games 1928 Amsterdam 4×200 m freestyle 1928 Amsterdam 100 m backstroke

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

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