Former Western Boone, Indiana High School swim coach Duane Swisher was killed in a car accident on Saturday at the age of 55.
After 24 years of coaching at the school, he retired earlier this year. His first big project after retirement was training for the Sugar Creek Swim Club’s 5th annual sprint triathlon when he was struck by a Jeep at 8:28 AM on U.S. Highway 341. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The local high school sports editor, Will Willems, wrote a fantastic obituary, which can be read in its entirety here. A small excerpt:
In my five years at the Lebanon Reporter, I have had the pleasure of working with numerous great coaches and people. Swisher was one of the ones that stood out though.
I cannot remember a single time that I interviewed or talked to the man when he wasn’t smiling and upbeat.
Among his most notable athletes were Indiana High School Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame member Brian Carr, who was a two-time state champion on the 1-meter.
This is terrible. It forces you to value the time you have because you never know when it will be time to go. Rest in peace, Coach Swisher.
RIP Duane!