American swimmer (1881–1955)
William Robert Orthwein (October 16, 1881 – October 2, 1955) was an American sportsman, attorney, business executive and political activist.
Early life.
William Robert Orthwein was born on October 16, 1881. His father, William D. Orthwein, was a German-born grain merchant.
Orthwein graduated from Yale University. While at Yale in November 1902, he was arrested on charges of assaulting a ticket seller for a Yale-Harvard football game; one month later, he was fined for it.
Orthwein competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics as a freestyle and backstroke swimmer and water polo player. He won a bronze medal as a member of the American 4x50-yard freestyle relay team and as a member of the Missouri Athletic Club water polo team. He also finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke.
Orthwein received a law degree from the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.
Career.
Orthwein was an attorney. He served as the vice president and general counsel of the Kinloch Telephone Company in 1920. In that capacity, he refused to sell the business to the Bell Telephone Company.
During World War II, he served as a supply commissioner for the City of St. Louis. Meanwhile, Orthwein joined the Republican Party. In 1948, he ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor of Missouri.
Personal life.
Orthwein married Nina Kent Baldwin. They had a son, William R. Orthwein, Jr.
Death.
Orthwein died on October 2, 1955, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
References.
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