For more than 40 years, Klaas Schenk was a fixture on the pool deck, and thousands of us are better swimmers, and better people, because of him. Since his passing on September 28, we've been thinking about how much he meant to all of us and how to best honor the impact he had on our lives.

Klaas gave so much of himself. Whether you were a kid learning to swim, a competitive athlete, or a masters swimmer, he showed up with countless hours, deep knowledge, a real passion for the sport, and just the right mix of encouragement and challenge. He was always there, giving his time, his energy, and his heart.

The best way we know to remember Klaas is to bring everyone together. His impact reached so many people that we're planning a memorial service big enough to welcome anyone who wants to be there. A venue that size is a significant expense, and we're looking to our community to help cover the cost.

Funds raised will first go toward the memorial service, so everyone Klaas impacted can gather to celebrate him. Anything beyond that will be shared between his wife, Anita, as she navigates this heartbreaking time, and the Klaas Schenk Swim Scholarship. We're still shaping the scholarship, but our hope is that it opens doors for swimmers who share Klaas's love of the water, so his legacy carries on for generations. Preliminary memorial plans are scheduled for late January. We'll share more here as plans come together.

Share your memories. We'd love to hear how Klaas touched your life. Leave a comment with a story, a lesson he taught you, or a favorite moment, and add photos if you have them. Some may be shared at the memorial service, and all of them will be shared with Anita.

Please consider sharing this with your network. If you'd like to give beyond GoFundMe or help in another way, please contact Karen Swanson Dugan directly.