Peter Fick

Peter Joseph Fick (December 12, 1913 – August 10, 1980) was an American competition swimmer who swam for the New York Athletic Club, and was a former world record-holder in the 100 meter and 4x100 meter freestyle events. He competed for Yale University, and participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympics where he placed sixth in his signature event the 100-meter freestyle. Outside of his competitive swimming career, he worked as a radio actor in New York, and was a WWII era veteran who reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander as a physical education instructor and administrator teaching officers to swim. He retired to Miami, Florida in the 1950's where he taught swimming and managed recreational programs.

Early life Fick was born December 12, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to former Ukrainian nationals Michael and Anna Piakowski Fick. At 19, he represented the Philadelphia Elks where he was coached by Frank Purtell and Assistant Bill Watson. Swimming with the Elks on January 20, 1933, Fick swam anchor in the 3x100 yard medley relay winning a District Championship event at the Penn Athletic Club in the 3x100 yard medley with a time of 3:21.6, a new district record. By 18, he usually represented the New York Athletic Club, where he was likely coached for at least a portion of his career by 1904 Olympic gold medalist Joseph Ruddy Senior.

World records Fick held the 100 meter World Record in the 1930's. At only 20, in March, 1934, while representing the New York Athletic Club, he broke Johnny Weissmuller’s record for the 100 meters of 57.4 with a time of 56.8. He broke his own record in 1935 swimming a recorded time of 56.6. In 1936, he again broke his standing world record with a time of 56.4. He was the anchor swimmer on an American 4x100 metre relay that in 1938 broke the world record with a time of 3:59.2, becoming the inaugural relay 4x100 team to go under four minutes. He retired from swimming by 1940, or would have been a pre-game favorite for the Olympics that year, though no Olympics was held that year.

1936 Berlin Olympics Fick represented the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He had been a world record-holder and was a pre-race favorite, but finished sixth overall in the event final of the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 59.7 seconds. Several American officials who viewed photos of the finish believe he finished in better than sixth place, and a controversy resulted as to his correct order of finish. In 1978 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

In the WWII era, Fick served in the U.S. Navy training officers to swim. When he left the Navy, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Marriages Fick was married to New York radio actress Bess Johnson Perry on June 10, 1941 in Elkins, West Virginia though they divorced in Florida in 1969 and he soon married Martha Jones. In January, 1940, had previously married Donna Damerel, who died giving birth to his son on February 14, 1941. Damrel was a former vaudeville actress, and a well-known radio actor and announcer of the Mryt and Marge semi-biographical radio show in the 1930's which she performed with her mother Myrtle.

Careers He worked as a radio actor in New York, and starred in the Water Follies at the New York World's Fair in 1939.

Honors Fick became a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1938 and was a member of the Helms Hall of Fame.