Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Surfing Legend And Body Glove Founder Bob Meistrell Dies After Suffering Heart Attack On His Boat
Bob Meistrell, a surfing and diving legend who co-founded Body Glove with his twin brother, Bill, died Sunday after suffering a heart attack.
The Daily Breeze reports that the 84-year-old Meistrell was on his boat, the Disappearance, on a return trip from Catalina Island. Fox News reported that both engines on his boat died and while he was trying to repair them, he had a heart attack and could not be revived.
Body Glove International President Russ Lesser wrote in an email, "His motto was 'Do what you love, love what you do.' He will be greatly missed."
The Meistrell brothers joined the Dive N' Surf shop in Redondo Beach in 1953 and became sole owners by 1957. They began designing, manufacturing and selling the first commercially viable neoprene wetsuits which they called "Body Glove." The company celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
Support for LAist comes from
Bill Meistrell died in 2006 at the age of 77. Bob continued surfing and diving, including a 162 foot dive for his 81st birthday in 2009.
"To our knowledge, Body Glove is either the only original 'surf' company left that is still privately owned and operated by the family that started it, or one of very few," Lesser wrote in his email. "It is a shame that Bob will not be able to be with us during the 60th anniversary celebration."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist