Carl J. Robie III

Devoted father and beloved husband, Carl J. Robie III, died of cancer at his home in Sarasota on Nov. 29, 2011. An Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer known around the world as "The Philadelphia Flyer," he was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his J.D. degree from Dickinson School of Law in 1971. A renowned lawyer for 38 years, he specialized in trust and estate litigation.

He was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1945 to Frances "Brownie" Robie and Carl J. Robie II. His swimming career was sparked after he nearly drowned at the age of ten. Highly motivated by his first real challenge in life, he quickly improved and got the taste for competition. He broke his first world record just 5 years later at the age of 15.

During his freshman year in law school, Carl trained alone at a local YMCA during the week. On the weekends, he was trained and inspired by Philadelphia Coach Frank Keefe. Carl made the 1968 Olympic Team as "the old man of swimming" at the advanced age of 23. His status as an underdog made his earning a gold medal the most storied comeback victory of the 1968 Olympics.

As co-captain of the US Olympic Swimming Team in 1968, Carl won a gold medal in the 200 meter butterfly in the Mexico City summer games. Between the years of 1961 and 1968 he won a silver medal in the same event in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and held multiple World Records, U.S. National Championships and NCAA Championships. He was also elected captain of the University of Michigan’s Swimming team.

He was nominated for the Sullivan award, known as the "Oscar of sports" in 1963 and 1968. He won the Yost Honor Award at the University of Michigan for outstanding athletic and academic achievement in 1967.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1976, has hailed him as "one of the most liked swimmers in the history of the sport" and a "folk hero."

Carl was an active member of the Field Club and Laurel Oak Golf Club. His life has been enriched by golf (most of the time), swimming everyday, and watching movies and U of M football. He had many interests but laughing, telling jokes, dancing with his wife and singing with anyone who would listen or join him is how many will remember him.

Carl married his true love Chris in 1968, and the two were inseparable for the next 43 years. Chris served as his paralegal, best friend and loyal confidant until his last day.

He is survived by his two beloved children, C.J. and Amanda, who made him proud with their own accomplishments and pursuit of swimming at the national and international level; his longest and most loyal fans, his sisters, Gail LeCates and Jo-Lynn Golden of Ft. Lauderdale, and Denise Horey of Tampa and his nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered with great affection by his family, his fellow swimming enthusiasts, the Robie "outlaws", the Philly Boys, and his stellar friends in the Florida and Pennsylvania Bar.

Services will be held at St. Martha’s Catholic Church at 200 North Orange Ave N, 34236 in Sarasota on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Sarasota YMCA Benefit of Sharks Swim Team" in care of Sarasota Sharks Swimming, 1 South School Ave., Suite 302, Sarasota, FL 34237 or Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.

Arrangements under the direction of Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.