Walter Laufer (July 5, 1906 – July 16, 1984) was an American swimmer who competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. He won a gold medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and a silver in the 100 meter backstroke. He was also fifth in the 100 meter freestyle event. Laufer was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1973. Personal life Laufer was married three times. He married Geneivieve Kleinofen around 1929 and had two children with her – a son and a daughter. Genievieve contracted intestinal influenza and died of complications from the disease January 8, 1934. In 1936, Laufer married Marion Hengestenberg; they had one daughter. Marion died suddenly in 1972. Two years later in 1974 Walter married Wanda Cord Bockhorst, a widow living in Cincinnati. Laufer died on July 16, 1984, at age 78 in Midland, Texas while visiting his son. He is buried in Cincinnati, Ohio. See also List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men) World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay References 1906 births 1984 deaths American male backstroke swimmers American male freestyle swimmers World record setters in swimming Olympic gold medalists for the United States in swimming Olympic silver medalists for the United States in swimming Swimmers from Cincinnati Swimmers at the 1928 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1928 Summer Olympics 20th-century American people