R.I.P. Finn Caspersen
September 11th, 2009 Posted in Rowing by Justin Feil | No Comments »It was with shock and sadness that we learned of the untimely passing of Finn Caspersen, who was found dead at his Rhode Island home Monday. He was 67.
While the circumstances of his death are still under investigation, one thing is clear. This area has lost one who has made enormous contributions to the rowing community. His contributions will never be forgotten.
He was a founding member and chairman emeritus of the Princeton National Rowing Association. The PNRA operates the national training center, the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center, at Mercer Lake. PNRA also runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Club, one of the top youth rowing clubs in the country. The rowing center houses the teams from The Hun School, Lawrenceville School and Peddie School in addition to the USRowing national team.
“PNRA and the rowing community are deeply indebted to Mr. Caspersen,” said PNRA executive director Kristopher Grudt in a statement Thursday. “His vision, financial support, political prowess and drive have put the Mercer Lake rowing venue on the world stage. His foresight provided a home base for the United States’ medal winning Olympic and National teams. Generations of area youth will benefit from the opportunity to experience the sport of rowing next to our Olympic athletes.”
Caspersen was a Peddie graduate and a former rower. Caspersen helped to bring the 2001 FISA World Cup Regatta and the 2006 FISA World Masters Regatta to Mercer Lake.
Caspersen was also a member of the US Equestrian team who competed at three world championships. His legacy in this area, however, remains on the water.
So many youth in our area have a place to row because of Caspersen’s contributions, and not just any place. They row next to the best rowers in the country, men and women who will row for gold on the world’s biggest stage. They, too, are indebted to Caspersen. He saw a need in the area, and he has helped grow the foremost rowing center in the country.
His contributions will live on, but he will be missed.
Trailing 46-43 with four seconds left, the Pirates’ Austin Witter rebounded a missed foul shot and outlet a pass to Chris Johnson. The senior point guard took a couple of dribbled past half court and made a 30-foot shot as time expired to tie the game and force overtime. (The photo at left by Dick Druckman, www.goldmedalimpressions.com, tells the story). Two nights earlier, Dan Balevski scored as time expired to force overtime against Hillsborough.