Wally Lundt passed away on Dec. 26, 2011. He was a coach and mentor, but most of all he was a great friend to all who were fortunate to know him.
He started teaching at CHS in 1957 and taught a variety of physical education classes such as climbing and orienteering. During this time he was also the water-polo coach, boys’ swimming coach, and the girls’ swimming coach. He taught and coached there until 1991 and then worked for several years at Lafayette High School as a swimming and water-polo coach. He then came back to CHS and resumed being the CHS boys’ swimming and water-polo coach.  He also began working at the Shaw Park Aquatic Center in 1952 and worked there for several decades.
He was inducted into to the U.S. Water-Polo Hall of Fame in 2004.
I had the privilege of knowing him for the last four years as he was both my water-polo coach and swimming coach. He was the man who first told me how to do a flip turn and the true way to do freestyle.
As evidence of his caring and personal way, he always had us call him by his first name, “Wally,†not “Coach Lundt.â€
He really cared about all of us and even when he was sick this last fall, he still tried to make every practice he could. He loved the pool and coaching.
I am thankful for his patience and his understanding way. Even when I did a stroke incorrectly, or I was a little late to practice, he would talk to me calmly, and tell me what I needed to do differently.
It seemed at times that he got more excited than us when the team won a relay event, or when we scored a goal in water-polo. When I was a freshman, He even promised me that he would dye his hair orange if I went to state during my high school career. He never had to live up to this promise, but he always wanted us to do our best. He was a man who really cared.
He always looked out for us. Last year during a water-polo game someone swam over me and I came up coughing water, struggling to breathe. He automatically substituted me out and had me sit out the game until my breathing had returned back to normal—much to my chagrin.
After my own grandfather passed away last spring, Wally was there for me. He gave me his condolences and told me how everything was going to be okay. Wally was understanding when I told him that I would be missing some water-polo games to go to my grandfather’s funeral. Although Wally loved the pool, he knew what was most important.
I am grateful for his joyful attitude and his example of living a full and busy life. His wide influence has taught me how one person can make a difference. Even in these last couple years, former swimmers and water-polo players constantly came and talked with Wally during practices. He was proud of all these people and would tell us stories about them. He loved all of us and we loved him.
I’m going to miss Wally. He was a great man. The image of him in his flip-flops writing the swimming workout on the whiteboard will always be a memory I will cherish. Thanks Wally for always being there for us and not only teaching us how to swim, but how to become men.
For the Globe’s full coverage of Wally Lundt’s life, click here.
craig fowler • Jun 27, 2012 at 12:37 am
2011
craig fowler • Jun 27, 2012 at 12:29 am
Just to let you all know, at the Mehlville-Oakville alumni game on 12/26/12 we had already heard the news. Wally’s name was on the scoreboard for the game.
Scott • Jan 21, 2012 at 9:11 am
Wally was a great man and coach. I knew nothing about swimming or water-polo until I walked into Lafayette in 1996. I was never a great swimmer – but Wally taught me many tricks to score goals on opposing teams. I have since passed on a lot of knowledge I learned from him as my father-in-law is a local water-polo coach in St. Louis. I help the kids learn new things….all taught from coach Lundt.
Cris Powell • Jan 3, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Wally was an amazing person who touched so many lives with his coaching style and grace. He walked the walk and talked the talk and he called things the way they were. A true sportsman and a gifted teacher. I am proud to say that I swam and played water polo for Wally all 4 years of high school. I had never swam on a team or taken a swimming lesson before meeting Wally my Freshman year, yet he taught me how to swim and play water polo with a few CHS swimming records from ’86 that are still standing today. Luckily I ran into Wally at the Shaw Park pool 2 summers ago when it seemed that Wally was still in his prime, doing what he loved to do. Little did I know that would be our last talk…..thank you Wally for being such an incredible force for so many, you are truly missed.
Doug Murdoch • Jan 3, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Wally was the best, period.
I attended CHS in the early 80s. Never swam or played polo for him, but always thought he was a great guy. He was and will always be an excellent example of a man, coach and friend.
I loved seeing Wally up at Shaw Park and introducing my kids to him. He was Shaw Park Pool.
Very sad to hear that he passed away. May sound silly, but he’s one guy you hoped would live forever.
RIP Wally.
Judy Smith Campbell • Jan 3, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I am sad to hear that Wally passed away. I swam under him all four years of high school till I graduated in 1977. He was a fantastic coach, leader and person. I was lucky to have reconnected with him long distance last summer after all those years and he sounded the same as ever. Could not believe he was still working at Shaw Park Pool! Fantastic man who was a great influence on all of us while we swam with him and long after. I feel blessed to have known him.
jon b • Jan 3, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Best remembrance of him: he never gave up on his athletes-always trying to help them improve. And he was a great sport as well as sports person. He certainly contributed alot to my time at CHS (Jon b. class of 1971)
Ben Loeb (Class of 1973) • Jan 3, 2012 at 11:44 am
Wally was a great man. It saddens me greatly to hear of his passing. When I think of athletic legends at Clayton High School I think of Wally Lundt and John Buell. Burt Droste was certainly an all-star but Wally and John deserve to have their pictures on display at the school forever. I was on the swim team with Wally as the coach for only one year. I was never going to help the team win any varsity swim meet. But Wally treated me with respect and he cared about everyone. Conseqently I learned a lot about how to treat people and how to be enthusiastic about coaching. Wally helped kids grow both through physical education and through competitive sport participation. Long live the memory of Wally Lundt.
Mitch • Jan 2, 2012 at 9:57 am
Jonathan. I am going to miss Wally as well. He taught me to be more aggressive in Water Polo. Great piece of writing. I am sure all of the boys swim team were hoping that he would be able to coach Water Polo this season. Let’s win games in Water Polo for Wally.
Martin Shampaine • Dec 30, 2011 at 5:07 pm
So sorry to hear about Wally passing away. Wally was my swimming coach in 1974 when I was a Freshman.
Bill Patten • Dec 30, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I echo the sentiments of the writer. Wally taught me to swim in ’57. I joined the Clayton Shaw Park Swim Team in ’59. Swam for Wally at CHS and with his coaching, finished in the top 6 in the 100 yard backstroke in ’67, ’68, and ’69. Wally began coaching me in water polo in ’63. By ’68, I was selected to the High School All American Team. Wally continued to coach me until I “retired” from water polo in ’80. It would be an understatement to say that he was one of the main “non-parent” influences in my life. Even today, long retired from aquatic sports, I refer to myself as a swimmmer/water polo player. All due to the support and cajoling that Wally provided for roughly 23 years.
Joyce • Dec 30, 2011 at 9:59 am
Wally was my coach from pre-school through high school (CHS 1980). He led the Instructor’s Core that taught me how to swim when little then coached me on the girls’ swim team, water polo team, Instructor’s Core from the high school side, and I even tried his scuba class. When I decided SCUBA was not for me, he was understanding and supportive. Although I was intimidated by most teachers, I always felt comfortable around Wally. He encouraged me to be better and with him as a coach, I excelled. He was the greatest, and thanks for the flip flops memory! He will be missed.
Peter Baugh • Dec 29, 2011 at 10:58 pm
This is a wonderful piece Jonathan. Beautifully written. I never had the honor of meeting the man, but just reading this I can tell the great impact he had on others, and how great of a person he was.