According to an obituary on the Asheville Citizen-Times website, the legendary Betsy Montgomery has passed away as the result of an automobile accident at 88 years old.
Her husband and daughter, Mary, were seriously injured in the accident as well, ‘with concussions and multiple fractures’.
Betsy Montgomery swam collegiately at DePauw University before founding the Asheville Aquatic Club in 1964.
Betsy coached her daughter Mary to a berth on the 1972 Olympic Team in the 400 IM, where she finished 6th at the Munich Games, as well as a 1975 silver medal in the 800 free at the Pan Am Games.
Her husband, Wayne, also injured seriously in the accident, was a renowned orthopedic surgeon in Asheville and a former mayor in the town of 84,000 residents.
This is horrible. I remember the thrill at the 72 Trials when Mary made the olympic team and her mother/coach paraded around the pool deck with her during the presentation ceremony for the women’s 400 I.M. I feel so terrible for Mary and her father. A sad day for the swimming community.