Dick Kimball - the ultimate letterwinner
Richard (Dick) Kimball, Age 90, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on April 25, 2026. leaving behind a remarkable legacy of passion, mentorship, and lifelong dedication to sport, family, and community.
One cannot say “Michigan Diving” without including the name Dick Kimball: Student, Athlete, Mentor, Coach, and Legend. The Ultimate Michigan Man. Icon of the sport.
At Michigan, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1959 and a Master of Arts in 1960. As a UofM student-athlete, he was a two-time NCAA Champion (1957), and competed on three NCAA Championship teams. He also brought his energy and spirit to the sidelines as a University of Michigan cheerleader (and later as a proud alumni cheerleader).
Following a remarkable collegiate career, Kimball built a standard of greatness for more than four decades as Michigan’s head diving coach - his energetic presence and signature voice echoed across the pool deck as he shaped generations of athletes. Kimball made being a “Michigan Diver” synonymous with reaching the highest levels of excellence in the sport. Defining his lifelong devotion to the sport, Dick followed his head-coaching years with countless hours on the pool deck at Michigan, volunteering his time and expertise to continue mentoring the next generation of athletes.
A devoted Michigan fan, even well into his 80s, Dick rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on Wolverine athletics, especially swimming and diving, football, basketball, hockey, gymnastics, and softball. His energy was legendary—whether rollerblading through Ann Arbor, skating daily at Yost Ice Arena, or bouncing atop a trampoline float in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Kimball’s legacy reaches far beyond the walls of The University of Michigan …over the course of nearly 60 years of coaching. Dick mentored athletes who went on to achieve success at every level—state, national and international. His divers represented the United States at the World University Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games. He is arguably one of the most influential figures in diving history with a legacy of excellence in collegiate, United States, and international diving.
“For those who had the privilege of knowing him, Dick's impact went far beyond the diving well. He shaped lives. He instilled confidence, accountability and a sense of purpose. He made people better, not just as divers, but as individuals. His influence will continue to be felt for generations through the athletes, coaches and leaders he helped develop.”
Lee Michaud
President, USA Diving
