Glen Egstrom, M.S. '56

Emeritus professor Dr. Glen Egstrom, M.S. '56, recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on diving, passed away Oct. 7 at his home in Mar Vista, Calif., a few days before his 91st birthday.

Born in Jamestown, N.D., Egstrom was very involved in athletics in high school and college. Upon graduation from high school, he went to the University of North Dakota and received a bachelor of science degree in physical education.

Following graduation, Egstrom married Donna Wehmhoefer and moved to California for his first teaching job. The couple celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in August.

Egstrom was drafted into the Army and selected for Officer Candidate School, graduating with the first Antiaircraft Artillery OCS class in Fort Bliss, Texas. He was sent to Korea, where he served in the 3rd Infantry Division as a Platoon Leader in direct support of infantry and later as an Aerial Observer with the Air Force 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron. He engaged in 28 combat missions before returning stateside. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Major.

While registering at UCLA for a master's degree in 1954, he was hired as a teaching assistant. He later joined the faculty and retired from UCLA as director of the underwater kinesiology laboratory in 1994. Egstrom received his Ph.D. from USC in 1961. He was UCLA Diving Safety Officer from 1964 to 1992.

Egstrom was elected president of the L.A. County Underwater Instructors Association in 1967, president of the National Association of Underwater Instructors in 1970 and president of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences in 1989. He was very active in diving education for over 50 years, working with many organizations and thousands of divers in basic, advanced, public safety, scientific, military and instructor training programs worldwide.

Egstrom is survived by his wife, Donna, and his children, Gail, Eric and Karen.

Read a full obituary and tribute here.