William Henry Roetzheim, 85, of Plant City, died Feb. 26, 2014.
He was born in Chicago, and was a U.S. Army veteran, who served during the Korean War.
Mr. Roetzheim was a highly successful gymnast, winning nine National Championships in AAU and NCAA competition. He was a member of two U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams (1948 and 1952). He was the first American to bring home gold in the Pan American Games in 1951. Mr. Roetzheim served as a superior judge at the Olympic Games in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996.
In 1951 while a sophomore at Florida State University, Mr. Roetzheim single-handedly outscored all gymnastics teams in the National Collegiate Gymnastic Championships, winning FSU the first national athletic team championship in any sport.
Mr. Roetzheim was inducted into the Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1975, followed by his induction into the inaugural FSU Hall of Fame, Class of 1977.
Mr. Roetzheim coached high school gymnastics for 14 years (1955 to 1968), winning three state championships. He served as gymnastics coach and later athletic director from 1968 to 1985, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty Jo; sons, Richard (Kathy) and William Jr. (Marianne); daughter, Marlene Olson (John); sister, Helen Mehler; 10 grandchildren, Elizabeth, William III, Regina, Donnie, Eric, Mark, Kevin, Maggie, Kirsten and Alex; and one great-granddaughter, Reyna.
A funeral service was held March 1, at Wells Memorial and Event Center. Burial took place at Oaklawn Cemetery West.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hillsborough County Animal Services or another charity of choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at wellsmemorial.com.