Robert Spenger, 1924-2017

A quick query of indoor rowing world records on the Concept2 website shows just how prolific Robert Spenger was on the machine: 37 records in the 80-89 and 90-99 age categories, including a new 6k mark of 28:58.8 set last year. But Spenger, who passed away in January at 92, had achievements that went far beyond the erg. A former University of California, Berkeley varsity oarsman, Spenger was an avid climber and hiker, the latter an activity he pursued after retiring from a longtime faculty position at California State University in Fullerton.