My sister and I were there to honor him at his induction into the Coaches Hall of Fame. We swam for him in the 60's at PBSA (Lido Pools). So many memories. Can't say any more than has already been said. He was a good part of our growing years. Bless you
Kathy Welbourn
April 07, 2017 | FL
Buddy always put a smile on my face every time I was swimming at the UNG pool. I always looked forward to seeing him there, and he was always so encouraging and willing to share pointers. I miss him dearly but I will swim with a smile on my face every time I think of him knowing that he touched so many swimmers' lives like he did mine.
Marissa
March 26, 2017 | Dahlonega, GA
Coach Baarcke was my head coach in Brunswick, GA from when I was 7 until I was 15, when he retired. He took our small, struggling south Georgia team and turned us into an elite club that, with far fewer swimmers, kept up with the massive Atlanta teams. As a swimmer himself, he was the first American ever to hold a world record in the 100yd butterfly in 1954. He coached an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1988 and many other elite swimmers from age group to college. He was a 2016 Inductee into the...
Rebecca Laws
March 22, 2017 | Berkeley, CA
Buddy was my coach from the time i was 5 until 17 and my boss from 17 to 25. He was my best man at my first wedding. He wa a second father to me. He taught me a lot about life and dealing with people. He was a great man. My codolemces to his family. RIP Coach thank you for everything, and making my life better and teaching me that optimism and belief in ones self are two of life's most important attributes. May God Rest Your Soul.
Bill Keeton
March 19, 2017 | Lake Park, FL | Friend
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Sandi Passmore
March 18, 2017 | Dahlonega, GA
Coach Baarcke - from the swim team at North Palm Beach Country Club to the Learn to Swim program developed with my mom, we were blessed to have him a part of our lives. Great friend, great coach, helped so many with swimming.
Carlen Emanuel (Linka Perhacs)
March 15, 2017 | Kearneysville, WV
Buddy was my swim coach at the NBPCC, FL. I wasn't the best or fastest swimmer, but Buddy always encouraged his swimmers to do their best. I'll always remember him.
Chris Reinhardt
March 15, 2017 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Words cannot express the profound sadness I feel over Buddy's passing. He was a FINE man in every sense of the word, and will be missed by ALL who knew, admired,and respected him.
Bunny (Conway) Shreffler
March 15, 2017 | Palm Coast, FL | Friend
You had the best whistle ever, I still hear it in my dreams. And the hats you wore were the best. But some of those workouts not so much, they kicked my butt. You are my childhood memories, and I thank you for that . I hope you are resting easy. All my love ❤
Sally Schneider
March 14, 2017 | Jupiter, FL
Obituary for Leonide Alfred Baarcke, Jr. “Buddy”
Mr. Leonide Alfred (Buddy) Baarcke, Junior, 85, of Dahlonega, GA, passed away on March 10, 2017 after a short illness. Buddy graduated from Suwanee Military Academy in 1949, where he began his competitive swimming career. From there he went to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and continued to swim competitively and began his coaching career. He graduated from UNC in 1953, was drafted into the Army and served two years where he swam competitively. In 1954 he was the first American to set a world record in the butterfly stroke. Buddy was a college assistant coach for 10 years (UNC and UF) and a club coach for 40 years. He coached many Olympic medalists, national senior champions, and national age group champions. In September of 2016, Buddy was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association’s coaching Hall of Fame after being involved in the sport for over eight decades. Buddy is survived by his sister, Susan B. Bryan and her husband, Judge John N. Bryan, his sister, Rebecca B. Forehand, his niece, Sandy B. Vitalis and her husband, Colonel Greg Vitalis, his niece, Betsy F. Green and her husband, Richard W. Green, Sr., his great nieces and nephews, Rich Green, Jack Bryan, Rebecca Green, and Kate Bryan. Buddy is preceded in death by his father, Leonide A. Baarcke, Sr., his mother, Olive W. Baarcke, his brother-in-law, Lee R. Forehand, his nephew, Lee W. Forehand, and his nephew, John N. (Nat) Bryan. Arrangements are being handled by Dahlonega Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Read More
