Long-Time Florida Coach, Dan Dittmer Has Passed Away

Dan Dittmer, Head Coach and Owner of Longwood Aquatic Club in Longwood, FL passed away peacefully this past week. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy. Dan built the 50 M pool and coached the Longwood Aquatic Club team in Longwood, FL since 1976. He taught thousands of children how to swim, and coached thousands of children in our sport. Many of his swimmers became state and national champions, but he was always proudest of the exceptional adults his athletes grew into as they made their journey from childhood to adulthood. It was not unusual for his former club and high school swimmers to drop by and visit him at the Longwood Aquatic Club. He also was the head coach of Bishop Moore Catholic High School for more than twenty-five years, through 2001. He mentored many young coaches and was always a strong
supporter of Florida Swimming.
He was a part of the era that saw the emergence of USA Swimming, out of the “old” AAU program. Prior to coming to Florida, he had built and coached at the Sharidan Country Club in Quincey IL.  Dan’s Rite of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, May 9 at 10 AM at Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL.