Scottsdale Aquatic Club coach Bob Platt died on Saturday at age 58.
Platt has been an inspiration in the swim community through his coaching and also his advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and any other people he felt were marginalized.
No cause of death has been released.
He has coached several elite swimmers, including Amy Bilquist, who has known Platt since she was just 6 years old, and who helped coached her all the way through her professional career.
“The first thing I did when I heard was go jump in a pool, to go underwater for a bit to connect in the place that brought us together,” Bilquist told Swimming World. “In a turbulent 20 years of swimming and life there was always one constant, and that was him. Since I was 6, he was a constant confidant, a constant motivator, a constant source of wisdom and a constant source of laughter.”
Bilquist, a former U.S. National Team member, struggled to put Pratt’s legacy into words.
“How do you begin to speak of a legacy that was larger than life itself, one that seemed to stretch beyond the sky?” Amy Bilquist said. “I’ve known Bob since I was just 6 years old, and from the very beginning, he wasn’t just a presence—he was a force. He lived loudly, coached loudly, and laughed even louder. But most of all, Bob loved loudly.”
That extra layer created a larger bond with everyone he came in contact with, but especially his swimmers – who always knew where they stood with him.
“He never missed a moment to express how proud he was of those around him. Every conversation was filled with his joy and admiration for his former swimmers, friends, and his beloved husband, Rich,” Bilquist said. “Bob was selfless, always lifting others up, never taking the spotlight for himself. He was a true servant to those he cared about, always giving, always supporting.”
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It seems so simple, but within the context of elite athletes, Platt’s level of commitment but also ability to show it, is something most coaches struggle with – but great coaches master.
“Bob truly and deeply cared, never backing down from what mattered most. His laugh was infectious, and I already miss hearing him call me ‘Billyquist.’ He had a way of making every room brighter, making everyone around him better,” Bilquist said. “His legacy isn’t just remembered; it’s felt—every day, in every heart he touched.”
Platt has coached at Scottsdale Aquatic Club since 2012. Prior to that, he coached at Germantown Academy Aquatic Club in Pennsylvania and the Southwest Valley Family YMCA in Arizona.
He was assistant manager for Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships.
Outpouring of emotion hit social media upon the news of Platt’s death, his legacy felt by many.
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Bob Platt,” Tyler Fenwick posted on Instagram. “I’ve known Bob for over 30 years. We both swam at Germantown for Shoulberg. He coached my sister at Spirit of 76. He was incredibly kind, generous to a fault and cared endlessly about those he loved. Whenever anything happened in my life, I could always expect a call or text from Bob. His friendship was unwavering. Sending much love to Rich, SAC Nation, and the many he touched. We’ve lost a really good one.”