USA Gymnastics co-founder dies
INDIANAPOLIS -- Glenn Marlin Sundby, an acrobat who co-founded USA Gymnastics and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, has died. He was 87.
Sundby had been in failing health the past year and was admitted last week to Tri-City Hospital in Vista, Calif., USA Gymnastics said. He died Wednesday.
"The U.S. gymnastics family has lost one of its pioneers," USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said Thursday. "He was an original, and his lifelong love and passion for gymnastics helped transform the sport into what it is today."
A high school gymnast, Sundby created a traveling acrobatic act with George Wayne Long that became the Wayne-Marlin Trio when Sundby's sister, Dolores, joined in 1945. Four years later, Sundby drew national attention by walking down the steps of the Washington Monument on his hands.
In 1962, Sundby helped found the U.S. Gymnastics Federation -- now USA Gymnastics -- and served as its vice president. He also co-founded the U.S. Sports Acrobatics Federation and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Sundby started what is now "International Gymnast," the sport's leading publication, in 1957.
Sundby is survived by his son, Scott. A memorial service is scheduled for March 28 at Coastline Baptist Church in Oceanside, Calif.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
