Tuesday, September 8, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Retiring aquatic center chief honored with his own day
Kansan staff writer
By Chris Fickott
Bob Lockwood (center) jokes with lifeguards Brad Westebacker (left), Jarod Crusie (right) and others during his retirement party.
Lockwood retired after serving as director of the Lawrence Aquatic Center for 30 years. Photo by Matt Daugherty/KANSAN
About 100 people, including family, friends, lifeguards and swimmers, along with city representatives, came to the pool to celebrate Lockwood's retirement from the Lawrence Aquatic Center yesterday.
Bob Lockwood Day ended with a splash.
Lockwood retired after 30 years as the center's director.
"It's been a fast 30 summers," Lock-wood said.
Fred DeVictor, director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation, opened the celebration by reading the proclamation that declared yesterday Lockwood's day.
Lockwood said he was honored that the city proclaimed yesterday his day but that there were others who deserved credit.
"Many of us here in Lawrence are fortunate to have had Bob as our pool manager." he said.
"I'm sure that for whoever gets a day, there's probably 1,000 others
that could take my place." he said.
DeVictor said that since Lockwood started in 1969, more than 2 million people had used the pool and tens of thousands of children had learned to swim there.
Maria Shuckahose, Lawrence junior, said she was fortunate.
For three summers, Shuckahosee has worked for Lockwood as a lifeguard.
"He's a great guv." she said.
Shuckahosee also works as a lifeguard at Robinson Center, where Lockwood will continue to work as director of pool facilities.
shuckahosee said working at Robinson was not the same as the aquatic center.
"It's a lot better working with him directly," she said.
Chip Malmstrom, St. Paul, Minn., senior, worked with Lockwood in Lockwood's gymnastics program for kids before he worked at the pool.
Malmstrom said in addition to being a great boss, Lockwood was a great influence outside of the pool. He said Lockwood would stand on
the sidelines at his track meets,
shouting advice.
"He's like a grandpa to me," he said. During the celebration, Suzanne Bidwell, Reston, Va., junior, presented Lockwood a t-shirt signed by all the lifeguards.
"We expect to see you at Robinson wearing that every day," she said.
Lockwood coached five varsity sports at the University of Kansas, including swimming and women's volleyball.
Mayor Martin Kennedy spoke during the celebration.
Kennedy said he was privileged to receive Lockwood's input about the new indoor aquatic center, which should be completed in 2000.
Kennedy announced that the meeting room at the aquatic center would be named the "Bob Lockwood Room."
"What a great facility that Bob gets to retire from," Kennedy said.
After 30 years at the pool, Fred DeVictor said he thought Lockwood might be ready for a break.
"Bob may not want to come back," he said.
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