Richard Kempster Degener (March 14, 1912 – August 24, 1995) was an American diver who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
In 1932 he won the bronze medal in the 3 metre springboard event. Described as the "Fred Astaire of diving", Degener competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics with University of Michigan classmates, Eddie Tolan and James Cristy.
Four years later he won the gold medal in the 3 metre springboard comp...
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Richard Kempster Degener (March 14, 1912 – August 24, 1995) was an American diver who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
In 1932 he won the bronze medal in the 3 metre springboard event. Described as the "Fred Astaire of diving", Degener competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics with University of Michigan classmates, Eddie Tolan and James Cristy.
Four years later he won the gold medal in the 3 metre springboard competition.
Degener introduced the full layout in which his body seemed to soar, lazy-like and graceful in the air. This astonished the diving world and caused a buzz of admiration around the pool. "If there is one thing I've gotten out of sports, it's that I learned to be intense and to do the job."
Degener never lost a diving contest in college during the three years he represented Michigan from 1931 to 1934 as he took the Big Ten and National Collegiate championship. In AAU competition Dick was unbeaten for years as he won 14 national indoor...
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