Brent Rutemiller, former CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, has died

After a three-year battle with cancer, the former CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). Brent Ruthmiller died in the early hours of monday morning.

Rutemiller was diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia in May 2021, which he has fought into remission despite no known cure. His cancer returned in 2022, undergoing a bone marrow transplant before going in and out of remission for the past two years.

Rutemiller has had a long career in swimming, from coaching stops across the country, more than 30 years in various roles at Swimming World and five years as CEO of the ISHOF, in addition to serving as president.

A 1978 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Rutemiller began coaching various teams in Kentucky and Indiana, including as an assistant under Frank Busch in northern Kentucky. Rutemiller then contributed to the Mission Viejo Nadadores staff and served as a coach with two of the largest programs in Arizona, Phoenix Swim Club and Scottsdale Aquatic Club.

He also devoted much of his time to coaching Special Olympians, serving as head of a swimming delegation to the Special Olympics Arizona for over 20 years.

Rutemiller started with Swimming World Magazine in 1985 as the creator of Aquazoids, an educational animated series that was printed in over 150 countries. He then became head of advertising and eventually rose to the role of editor of the magazine.

During his time as editor, Rutemiller led Swimming World’s partnership with ISHOF.

In July 2015, Rutemiller was recognized by USA Swimming as one of the “30 Most Influential People in Swimming of the Last 30 Years”.

In addition to receiving the ISHOF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, Rutemiller also won the organization’s Service Award in 2008 and was named the American Swimming Association (ASCA) Media Award winner in 2014.

During his treatment, Rutemiller launched the “Rutemiller’s Army” campaign with Swim Across America to fund a cancer research project for plasma cell leukemia (or multiple myeloma), which has no known cure.