Chuck Bittick

Charles Greene Bittick Jr. (November 2, 1939 – April 28, 2005) was an American water polo player and swimmer who competed for the University of Southern California, and participated in water polo at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He later worked as an insurance broker, and engaged in recreational sports including mountain climbing and long distance kayaking.

Bittick was born November 2, 1939 in El Reno, Oklahoma to Charles G. Bittick Sr., and Lora Na-Deanne Hardin. Widely acclaimed as a swimmer at USC, in 1959, 1960 and 1961, he earned All-Pacific-8 Conference honors, and in 1960, was a most Outstanding swimmer of the Year. In 1961, he captained the USC swim team, and was that year's University's Swimmer of the Year.

1960 Rome Olympics Bittick participated as a member of the American water polo team that finished seventh among sixteen competing countries at the 1960 Summer Olympics in the men's water polo tournament. He played five matches and scored three goals. The US team played under Olympic Coaches Neal Kohlhase and Urho Saari, both inductees of the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.

Records In 1960, Bittick briefly held the world record in the 200 m backstroke, and in 1961 won the 400 yd medley event at the AAU championships, setting a new national record.

In non-Olympic international competition, he won three silver medals, two in the 100 m backstroke and one in water polo, at the Pan American Games between 1959 and 1963.

Careers and avocations After retiring from competitions, he relocated to Yorba Linda, California, where he worked as a broker for Farmer's Insurance. He remained active in challenging recreational sports, and in 1997 successfully ascended Mount Rainier, South of Seattle, Washington. Continuing his career as an adventurer, while travelling by kayak he and his brother crossed the Sea of Cortés in around nine days.

Bittick died April 28 at the age of 65, in Yorba Linda, California of colon cancer, and was buried at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster. Memorial Services were held May 4, at the Yorba Linda Friends Church. Bittick was survived by wife Barbara Wilson Bittick, two sons, a daughter and grandchildren.

Honors In 1979, he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.