12 Facts About Susan Doerr

Susan Elizabeth Doerr was an American former competition swimmer, 1960 Olympic competitor, and a 1961 world record-holder in the 100-meter butterfly.

Susan Doerr began her career in age group swimming in Philadelphia.

Susan Doerr competed in her first United States Women's National Championships in the spring of 1959, representing Vesper Boat Club where she was managed by Hall of Fame Coach Mary Freeman Kelly.

Susan Doerr went on to be a leading member of Vesper when they clinched their first high point award at the 1961 United States Women's National Championships; the same year, Doerr set a world record in the 100 m butterfly.

Susan Doerr did not receive a medal at the time, because only relay swimmers who competed in the event final were eligible under the 1960 Olympic rules.

Susan Doerr continued to compete as a swimmer after the Olympics, representing the Vesper Boat Club, at the National AAU Women's Outdoor Championships into August 1962, swimming a 1:09.4 in her signature event, the 100-meter butterfly but taking fourth in a highly competitive field, where the winner, Mary Stewart set a new world record.

Susan Doerr graduated from Abington Friends School in Abington, Pennsylvania in 1963.

Susan Doerr had issues with illness during her Senior year in High School, diagnosed as pleurisy, a lung inflamation, and a calcium difficiency and swam only sporadically that year.

Susan Doerr had harbored hopes of qualifying for the 1964 Olympics, but 1963 had been a difficult year to maintain the rigorous training schedule required to meet that goal.

Susan Doerr enrolled at Chatham College in Pittsburgh in 1963, and trained with the University of Pittsburgh Swimming team, but did not attend practices regularly and later enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania around 1965.

Susan Doerr returned to Abington Friends in 1969 as a student teacher.

Susan Doerr died on February 18,1972, in Manhattan in New York City.