{{short description|American swimmer (1916–2016)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox swimmer | name = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | full_name = | nickname = | nationality = | national_team = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1916|12|13}} | birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|12|2|1916|12|13}} | death_place = | height = <!-- "X cm (yyyy)" or "X ft Y in (yyyy)" --> | weight = <!-- "X kg (yyyy)" or "X lb (yyyy)" --> | spouse = | website = | strokes = | classification = | club = | collegeteam = | coach = | medaltemplates = }} '''Russell B. Witte Jr.''' (December 13, 1916 – December 2, 2016) was an American backstroke and breaststroke swimmer. He was the U.S. Masters Swimming National Record Holder for the 95-to-99-year-old age group in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events swum in 2012. Witte was the reigning National Champion for 2013 in the 50 yard backstroke, 50, 100, and 200 yard breaststroke.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usms.org/comp/tt/toptenind.php?Year=2012&SwimmerID=01U7E |title=USMS Top Ten Swims by Russ Witte (10) |year=2013 |accessdate=May 14, 2013}}</ref>
Witte was born on December 13, 1916.<ref name="obit">{{cite web |title=Russell Witte Jr. |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/cincinnati/name/russell-witte-obituary?id=18875653 |website=Legacy |access-date=11 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=seniors /> During World War II he served as a B-25 pilot and flew over 50 missions in the Mediterranean Theater.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honored Veterans |url=http://www.tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org/about/honored-veterans |website=Tri-State Warbird Museum |access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref> He swam for Ohio Masters Swim Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kylmsc.org/clubs/LAKE/05lake.htm |title=29th Lakeside Masters Invitational - 8/6/2005 to 8/7/2005 |accessdate=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223740/http://www.kylmsc.org/clubs/LAKE/05lake.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His sons, James and Ray, 54 and 60 respectively {{as of|July 2010|lc=yes}}, coach and swim with him.<ref name=seniors>{{cite web |url=http://www.lec.org/newsAndEvents/documents/RussWitteforWebJuly2010.pdf |title=Seniors Go for Gold |last=Friedman |first=Roz |year=2010 |work=Senior Life |page=9 |accessdate=May 14, 2013}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Witte also swam the Great Ohio River Swim.<ref name="Sprinter">{{cite web |url=http://conniespringer.com/artwork/2322480_Russ_Witte.html |title=Russ Witte Champion of an Active Life |last=Sprinter |first=Connie |year=2011 |accessdate=May 14, 2013}}</ref>
Witte died on December 2, 2016, at the age of 99.<ref name="obit"/>
== References == <references />
== External links== * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3j81Hz4lNU Veterans History Project Interview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Witte, Russ}} Category:1916 births Category:2016 deaths Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:Masters swimmers Category:Swimmers from Cincinnati Category:American male backstroke swimmers Category:American male breaststroke swimmers
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