Bartels Robert L. "Bob" Bartels was born on a farm near Gettysburg, S.Dak. He considered Fargo, N.Dak. to be his home town and graduated from high school there. He came to Columbus in the fall of 1947 to attend The Ohio State University. He was a varsity swimming team member, lettering all three years of his eligibility. During those three years, the swimming team won three Big 10 and two NCAA championships, and, in 1949, he was named to the Collegiate All-American swimming team. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Education with a major in Physical Education in 1951. He continued his education, serving as a graduate assistant and freshman swimming coach, and received a Master of Arts degree from the university in 1952. The next autumn, Bartels was named head swimming coach and assistant athletic director at Kenyon College, where he served for two years. In 1954, his Kenyon swimming team won the Ohio Conference championship. This was the first win for the Kenyon team which has continued to win in what has become the longest win streak in sports. In 1954 he was named head swimming coach and instructor in Physical Education at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He remained there until 1959 when he returned to The Ohio State University to begin work on his doctorate. He was named Instructor in Physical Education and also served as assistant swimming coach. He received his Ph.D. degree in 1961, and was named Assistant Professor in Physical Education in 1962. He was named Head Swimming Coach in 1963, succeeding legendary swimming coach Mike Peppe. He continued to serve in this capacity until 1967, when he was named Associate Professor in Physical Education. Bartels was elected to the Board of Directors of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in 1968, and became President in 1971, serving two years in that capacity. He was given the Distinguished Coach award by that organization in 1972. In 1980, he was given the Honor Award for Service to Aquatic Sports by the Coaches Association. From 1963 to 1986 he served as Chairman of Safety Services for the Columbus Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was named Professor of Physical Education in 1972, and began the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program in 1975. In 1979 he was named a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, (FACSM). He served as President of the Ohio State University Faculty Club in 1984, and retired January 1, 1989. He then served as a Professor Emeritus in the College of Education, (Exercise Science). In 1991 he served as President of the Ohio State Retiree's Association. In 1998, he was named to the Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and was named to the College of Education Hall of Fame in 2002. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Varsity "0" Alumni Association. It has always been a matter of pride with him that he has served as major advisor to nearly 60 Ph.D. graduates of the university. Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife Janet Rodman Bartels. He is survived by his three children, Janet Ruth Bartels, Robin Lee Bartels Lucas and Robert Redman Bartels, all of whom are graduates of The Ohio State University. Also by 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will take place on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Columbus, OH 43221, where family will receive friends one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Dr. Robert Bartels Men's Swimming Performance Fund #482921, 1480 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221. Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jun. 8 to Jun. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bartels

18 Entries

David Graham

October 5, 2017

Dr. Bartels was a great educator. In grad school in the '80s I had a tough time with a statistics class and dropped it. I picked up the class that summer with Dr. Bartels and I understood the material so much better, but still struggled. After the mid-term, I finished about half the test before the class was over. He asked me to stay and said what I had completed was good, but not enough to pass - but, he allowed me to take the test over again in his office using all the time I needed. I passed (maybe even a B) and graduated with my MA that December. He really made an impression as a caring, thoughtful man. My condolences.
David Graham, OSU '85

June 26, 2017

My sincerest condolences to the Bartels family. I feel honored to have been a member and particularly to have served as Captain of the inaugural team in Bob's collegiate swim team coaching career, the 1953 Kenyon College Team. This has been one of the fondest memories from my collegiate years.

Gordie Leaf

June 23, 2017

I was saddened when I heard that Bob had passed away. He was my oldest friend.
We started swimming together in 1944 at Fargo Central High School.
One year we convinced our principal to let us skip two days of school to go to Minneapolis to see the Big Ten Swimming meet. There we watched Bill Smith,Miller Anderson,Bruce Harlan and many others of our heroes and hoped that some day we could meet them
After graduation,Bob attended Moorhead State Teachers College,mainly because they had a pool. He caught the interest of Jimmy Patterson and went off to Ohio State where he made his lifelong home.
I followed him to OSU and we swam and roomed together until I went into the army in 1951.
Our team was very close and due to Bob's efforts we got together for a reunion almost every year. We met at his home and enjoyed Janet's hospitality and also that of their children,Bobby,Robin and Jan.
After being good friends for 73 years I will greatly miss Bob and send my condolences to his family

Jonathan Ehrman

June 21, 2017

Dr. Bartels was on my comprehensive exam committee as an emeritus professor. Always grateful i met him and heard about the history of OSU swimming. My favorite story of his was when he told me about coaching at Kenyon and a day in the fall when he was raking leaves, hadn't shaved (says it was one of only 2 days in his adult life he hadn't shaved) and had to walk downtown to pick up his car from the shop. He passed the president's house who called out to him to meet a friend. It was the poet Robert Frost. He was embarrassed but used the story to tell me to always be prepared. He also told me "When you have one lifeguard, you have one lifeguard. When you have 2 lifeguards you have half a lifeguard because one is always thinking the other is paying attention." Those stories have stuck with me. Dr. Bartels, well done good and faithful servant.

David and Anna Snider

June 18, 2017

Dr. Bartels was inspiring each time I met him. When my family came to Columbus he and Janet were so glad to see us. They opened up their home and he was such a great story teller. He also would give us a tour of Ohio State. He kept the swimming team reunions going which was so important to my father who swam at Ohio State. My condolences to the family.

Frank Dooley

June 16, 2017

A dear friend and fellow team mate on our several championship swim teams of the late 50's with Big Ten and NCAA victories. Following graduation Bob was the glue that kept us coming back to team reunions. Always positive his encouragement in our studies as well our swimming. His dedication to our sport is evident in the many accomplishments of his career.

June 15, 2017

Dr. Bartels was great PhD advisor and was instrumental in my career as a sport scientist.
Steve Fleck

Robert Axtell

June 14, 2017

My condolences to the Bartels family. Dr. Bartels was both one of my doctoral professors and academic advisor. His consistent positive attitude and support of his students will always be remembered.

Elaine Filusch Betts

June 14, 2017

Bob Bartels was a true gentleman, an avid Buckeye fan, a great story-teller, and a wonderful mentor and friend. He served as my PhD advisor and was instrumental in recruiting me back to Ohio State from the University of Wisconsin- Madison to serve as an Assistant Professor in the exercise physiology program. He mentored me as a faculty member and, as a physical therapist, I took great pleasure in being able to return the favor by assisting him and his wife Janet regarding their health and mobility concerns whenever they asked. My sincere condolences to his children, Janet, Robin, and Robert.
Go now my friend, rest in peace with your beloved Janet. You will be forever missed and remembered.

Camille O'Bryant

June 13, 2017

Rest in peace Dr. Bartels. I always remember you being full of energy and smiles around Larkins Hall. Camille O'Bryant

Bert Stohrer

June 12, 2017

My condolences.

Bernie Warren

June 11, 2017

As a freshman at OU, a friend in my dorm convinced me to swim on a relay team against the freshmen swim team. Bob watched us and later asked me to join his group. I will never forget the opportunity and encouragement he gave me. Bob was one of the finest men I have ever known and I will remember him always.

David Camaione

June 10, 2017

Mr. Buckeye, Bob Bartels was one of the finest individuals who has ever walked this earth. He was extremely kind, compassionate, caring, a true friend, you would never hear him utter negative comments about anyone, he was clearly a class act. Our friendship spanned nearly 60 years, he and Janet were good friends of both Judi and I. He was one of those guys you would always make sure you saw when you came to the OSU campus. We visited often at national conferences and conventions. I would have to say that if it were not for Bob's advocacy for my induction into tOSU Varsity O Athletics Hall of Fame, it may not have happen. We will profoundly miss him because we not only lost a very good friend, society lost a remarkable man. Love you Bob Bartels, rest in peace.

Ernest Maglischo

June 9, 2017

Bob was a wonderful man and mentor. He was always there when needed and would go out of his way to help any of his swimmers. He convinced me to stay in school when my stepfather died. Then he convinced me to go on for a Masters degree. Who I decided to get a PhD., he was there once again to shepherd me through the application and admissions process He was my dissertation adviser and helped me prepare for my oral exams. He was with me every step of the way during my collegiate swimming and academic career. He was the best man I have ever known.

Jeffrey Logan

June 9, 2017

Bob was a mentor for me when joining the VO Board. Great man and great Buckeye. He will me missed.

Tim & Sue Brady

June 9, 2017

Sorry to learn of Coach's death. He was a warm, funny, thoughtful man who adored Janet and their family. His impact on his swimmers and students was powerful. He was a wonderful representative of Ohio State University. He will be sorely missed.

Bob Eastman

June 9, 2017

I first met Bob when he was at Kenyon in 1954. At that time my brother, Al, was on his swimming team and Bob was thoroughly enjoying being the Head Coach. During his short tenure, the team never lost a meet. When he announced he was leaving for Ohio University in '54, he was the sole reason I chose to attend OU.
From the day when I stepped into the natatorium to now, my memory is clear as ever in remembering his personnel greeting to me and all of the freshman swimmers in the fall of 1956. During his remaining three years at OU, he was tough, but warm and caring to all of us and was always available to talk and mentor. To me, he was and will always be COACH.

Dave Costill

June 9, 2017

Bob was my coach at Ohio U from 1954-59. No other person has had a greater impact and influence on my life than "Buckeye Bob." After my graduation from OU he continued to encourage me to persue graduate degrees, and was instrumental in getting me accepted to the OSU doctoral program, though I wasn't academically qualified. Bob always saw good in people and was a perpetual optimist. He was a exceptional mentor for all of his swimmers and students. A lifelong friend who I will miss deeply.

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