Topic: News: USAW Executive Director Rodger DeGarmo passes away

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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USAW Executive Director Rodger DeGarmo passes away

August 28, 2007

Dear USA Weightlifting members and friends,

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected death of USA Weightlifting's Executive Director, Mr. Rodger DeGarmo. He was on a business trip for USA Weightlifting, and this morning, was discovered to have passed away some time during the night. Efforts were made to revive him, but were unsuccessful. We here at the National Office are completely devastated to lose Rodger, who was a great boss, a dedicated coworker, but mostly, a dear friend.

At this time, we don't have a lot of information. We will make a statement when we have anything to pass along to the membership. The only thing we ask right now is that you please keep Rodger's wife, children and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,

USA Weightlifting National Office

[Paul LaDuke]

This is a very shocking event!  For anyone to die suddenly at such a relatively young age and in apparently good health is always heart breaking.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family he left behind.  While the USAW will find a replacement and the organization will still go on the DeGarmo family will never be the same without Roger.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Rodger DeGarmo Jr., executive director of USA Weightlifting, dies at 38

CHICAGO: USA Weightlifting executive director Rodger DeGarmo Jr. was found dead Tuesday, the United States Olympic Committee said. He was 38.

DeGarmo was conducting a site visit for the recently awarded 2009 Pan American Weightlifting Championships in Chicago. After a day of meetings and venue tours, he had dinner with friends and colleagues Monday night and then went to the home of Mike Gattone, a former USA Weightlifting coach, where he stayed the night.

DeGarmo's body was discovered Tuesday morning.

"When he was found, it was apparently pretty clear he had already passed, but they called (emergency services)," USA Weightlifting spokesman Cecil Bleiker said. "There was nothing that could be done."

Bleiker said everyone who knew DeGarmo is in shock.

"It caught everybody off guard," he said. "He worked out ... he seemed so healthy."

The cause of death isn't known but an autopsy was expected to be conducted Wednesday, said Dennis Snethen, president of USA Weightlifting.

"It's a great loss," said Snethen, who was with DeGarmo in Chicago. "Rodger was doing a great job as executive director of USA Weightlifting. ... He was enthusiastic, energetic and hard working and will be deeply, deeply missed."

DeGarmo was the U.S. national collegiate champion in the 100 kilogram weight class in 1991, representing Illinois State. The year before, he was the U.S. under-23 champion in the 90 kilogram weight class.

DeGarmo became executive director for the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USA Weightlifting in March of this year. Previously, he served as director of high performance and coaching for the organization.

DeGarmo is survived by his wife Suzanne and two daughters, 12-year-old Paige and 9-year-old Maggie.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Services scheduled for USA Weightlifting executive

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Services have now been set for the executive director of Colorado Springs-based USA Weightlifting, who died in his sleep during a trip to Chicago.

Rodger Carl DeGarmo Junior was 38.

DeGarmo was found dead at a friend's home on August 28th. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Visitation for DeGarmo will take place tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Swan Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs.

DeGarmo's funeral is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 at the Colorado Springs First United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and two daughters, 12-year-old Paige and 9-year-old Maggie.

A memorial fund has been established for the family.