I learned today that Ric Nesbit died last Friday. Ric was friend, a Master’s coach in Ft. Worth, Texas and a true friend of the sport. He swam at the University of Texas at Arlington in the late 60’s and was an NCAA champion in the 100 *** and in the 4 x 100 Medley Relay.
I swam at UTA in the early 70’s and Ric came to every home meet. He continued to support swimming and UTA athletics even after they discontinued the swimming program. In recent years he put together several reunions of swimmers and divers in Arlington. He was inducted into the Texas Swimming Hall of Fame in 2009.
In recent years I looked forward to seeing him on the deck at area Masters meets. He inspired many local Masters swimmers to enjoy the sport that had been such a large part of his life. Ric will be missed by all who knew him.
A quote that he gave in an article concerning his induction into the Texas Swimming Hall of Fame sums up his attitude about swimming, “It’s very gratifying to be able to assist in the development of a swimmer at any age. Swimming has been an integral part of who I am all my life, and now it’s just nice to be able to help others.”
Ric was a great person and a true friend to swimming who will be missed.
Richard Stetson Nesbit Notice
(1945 - 2012)
Richard Stetson Nesbit died peacefully in his sleep Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. Memorial service: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Drive, Arlington. A reception will follow at his home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ric's memory at www.fastswimming.org under the Swim Lessons tab. A native of Dallas, Mr. Nesbit set a national age group record at age 10 and an American record as a sophomore at Highland Park High School and led the school to three state titles. He was the first Texan to swim the 100-yard breaststroke in under one minute. At A&M and UT-Arlington, he was a 10-time all-American, seven-time NCAA champion, a three-time NCAA record setter and a two-time Olympic trials qualifier. He set American and world records as a U.S. Masters swimmer. Ric coached at all levels for more than 40 years in Texas. He was inducted into the Maverick Athletic Hall of Honor in 1992 and the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame in 2009. Besides swimming, Ric worked for the Fort Worth ISD for a number of years as a Because We Care counselor. After the murder of his daughter, Katy, Ric became the chapter co-founder and co-leader of the former North Texas Chapter of Parents Of Murdered Children. He also worked as a crime victim advocate mostly speaking on victim impact panels all over the state for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas Youth Commission for the juveniles. Survivors: His wife of 35 years, Judith Nesbit; daughters, Julie and Aaron Muehlstein, Jennifer Culpepper and Sara and Trey Deaver; brother, Randal Nesbit; sisters, Marty and Rod Gwin, and Rebecca and Gary Bode; grandchildren, Garrett, Grayson and Marissa Muehlstein, Asa and Adin Culpepper and William Deaver; and many other extended family members and friends.
Published in Star-Telegram on October 24, 2012
I remember when Ric won the 100 BR at NCAAs.I believe he was the only one under 1 min. that day.If I'm recalling correctly he had a shaved head and his coach said of his swim that he"looked like a greased marble."
