We are deeply saddened to share that long-time Cambridge Masters and New England Masters swimmer Frank Wuest passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 13, 2016, while participating in an open water race in Rhode Island. He was 56.
Frank has served on the board of New England Masters Swim Club and the New England Local Masters Swimming Committee, the regional arm of USMS, since 2011. For many years, he coordinated and promoted NEM’s participation in the One Hour Postal Swim and led NEM to be National Champions in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2013, the club had 625 swimmers participate, the greatest number of participants ever by one team.
In the water, Frank was a committed long-distance swimmer. He was a USMS Long Distance All Star in 2009 for accumulating the greatest number of points across a series of USMS open water and postal swims during the year, was twice a USMS Individual All-American (winning the 1-mile National Championship in 2008 and the 5K Pool Championship in 2010), and had 21 individual and 49 relay USMS Top-10 swims. Earlier this summer, Frank completed a 10,000M swim for time and was the top male finisher in the annual Charles River Swim.
Frank was the top fundraiser for the Swim Across America 2014 Boston Harbor Relay. He “made waves to fight cancer” by raising funds to honor his stepson, Elias, who had been diagnosed with and successfully treated for melanoma skin cancer.
Frank, President of Marcus Partners, a leading real estate investment and development firm in New England, pursued everything in life that was important to him – family, friends, work, volunteer work, travel, food, and swimming – with passion and focus. Many of you will remember his intensity when racing and when cheering for friends during their swims. Just this past March, he broke a finger during a strong finish in the 400 free relay at the Harvard meet. Frank always had inspirational words for Cambridge Masters teammates as they prepared for races, and provided thoughtful and encouraging feedback after each race. He made everyone feel special.
Frank is survived by his wife, Lyn Duncan (a fellow NEM and Cambridge Masters swimmer), his children, Sam and Allie, and his step-children, Micki and Elias. Funeral arrangements are pending.
With deepest sympathy,
The New England LMSC Board of Directors and Cambridge Masters