Gene was a fantastic Meet Official. We were at Mount Hood a couple years ago (it was windy and raining), we saw a t-shirt on a swim parent that said: “If I have but one day to live please take me to a swim meet because they last forever!” Gene loved that moment, but more importantly he loved being at the swim meet, by his own admission; he never wanted them to end, he truly loved everything about a swim meet.

He knew how important swimming was for kids and young adults and chose to serve his community as an Official, and more importantly to me a mentor. As young coach, he always took time to get to know my swimmers and me. He loved to explain the process of a big meet, which I needed! It is easy for a young coach to get lost in the process and tempo of a big meet. That being said, I can still hear myself as late as last year saying to Gene: "Hey Gene? Can you help me with this issue..." He always found a way to get the job done.

As I grew to know him over the last 20 years he always took time to say "How are you?" and he meant that he wanted to know about my team or me as a person outside of coaching. He understood coaches and officials were on an equal playing field with unique roles to play at the swim meet. He understood his role as an official was much larger than just running a swim meet. He was a true gentleman at all times never turning his back on a problem a coach or swimmer was having. I will miss seeing and talking to Gene at swim meets.

I guess passing time and growing up have consequences. When I was young, Gene mentored me at first and then became a friend, now that he is no longer with us, now that I am not so young anymore maybe it is time for me start thinking about being the mentor to a young coach or Official. I know Gene always would have wanted that, I loved that side of Gene. Always bigger than life, always supportive, and always sincere about his role and mission, I never heard Gene say, “I wish the meet was over.” He never wanted the meet to end, he was excited and happy to be at the meet for as long as it would go.

Gene Mielke was a great Official, a great mentor, and most importantly, a man who was a real friend to me. I will think of him often as I arrive at swim meets in the coming years. Thank you Gene.