Bob Gregson (1955) - Swimming

Bob Gregson ws one of the best swimmers to compete at the high school, even though he only attended R.A. Long his sophomore and junior years.  He started his sophomore career by competing at the state level, setting new record for the individual medley and the 100 yard breast stroke taking first place in both.  As a junior Bob competed at the State Tournament again taking first place in the breast stroke and the individual medley.  Bob was also named as a high school All American and a Junior Olympic Champion.  As a senior Blob moved to Ketchikan, Alaska to attend high school part time and went to work in a pulp mill full time.  After receiving his high diploma Bob enrolled in Linfield College in Portland, Oregon.  He earned a BA in Education and went on to earn an MA in Education.  Bob worked for the City of McMinnville for four years managing their city pools.  He accepted a position at Central Washington University as a Physical Education instructor in 1966.  That position ultimately led him to be the swimming coach until 1990.  During his tenure as coach the CWU swim team won the NAIA National title 3 times.  He coached several individual national title winners over the course of 22 years and he was Named the NAIA National Swimming Coach of the Year in 1984.  One of his more successful swimmers was Jeff Walker also an inductee for this year.  Bob retired from CWU in 1999, he and his wife moved from Ellensburg to Coulee City where he has a Vacation Rental business that he began in 1977 while he was still at CWU.  Bob has three children 2 girls, both teachers and a son, who helps with the vacation rentals and owns a farm.  There are also nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.