Birth Information
Madison County Birth Records 1882-1920
Name: Fred'k L. Wilt
Father: Jessie
Mother: Ines Franklin
Gender: M
Birth Date: 14 Dec 1920
Book: H-12
Page: 20
Funeral Information
Funeral Bulletin on September 10, 1994 from Christ Lutheran Church in Anderson, Indiana
Frederick L. Wilt, 73, passed away September 5th at his home in Anderson, Indiana, after a brief illness. He was born December 14, 1920, in Pendleton, Indiana. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Christensen Wilt; three daughters, Barbara Bustion, of Anderson, Indiana, Christina Lipka, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and Candace Barnett, of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Joan Borelli, of Dayton, Ohio, a brother, William T. Wilt, of Markesan, Wisconsin, an aunt, Florence Franklin of Anaheim, California, and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Jesse and Inez Wilt, a sister, Lorraina M. Frey, and a grandson, Andrew Barnett.
Mr. Wilt graduated from Pendleton High School, received a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, and a graduate degree from Purdue University. During World War II he served as a Naval Lieutenant and Port Commander in the Pacific Theater. Mr. Wilt served as a Special Agent in the FBI for 31 years. Upon retiring, he accepted the position of Coaching Education Coordinator of the Canadian Track and Field Association, residing in Ottawa for two years. Returning home, he accepted the position of Track & Field Coach at Purdue University for ten years. When he retired in 1990, he was named Coaching Education Coordinator for U.S.A. Track & Field, a position he held until his death. Mr. Wilt, a prolific author, wrote over twenty books on the subjects of Track and Field athletics and physiology. His programmed physiology text Mechanics Without Tears is used in many colleges. Mr. Wilt received numerous accolades During his lifetime. He was chosen the 1950 James E. Sullivan Award winner, presented to the outstanding Amateur Athlete in the U.S.A. He was named to the Indiana University Hall of Fame, Purdue University Track & Field Hall of Fame, the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, and in 1992, to the New York Athletic Club Hall of Fame. He represented the USA on two Olympic teams, London in 1948 and Helsinki in 1952. He held the world record for the indoor two-mile run in 1951. He won the NCAA two mile and cross Country titles in 1941 while competing for Indiana University. He won eight national titles in cross Country, the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and the U.S. indoor mile from 1949-1954, running for the New York Athletic Club. He established Five American records at distances from 3,000 to 10,000 meters.
Mr. Wilt belonged to many clubs and organizations, including the New York Athletic Club, New York Athletic Club Quarter Century Club, International Track & Field Coaches Association, Delta-Chi Fraternity and Former Special Agents of the FBI. He was a Fellow of Anderson University, where he volunteered his services as an assistant track & field coach and taught athletic courses. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Anderson. Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana University Men's Track and Field program.