Bob Meistrell, a surfing and diving legend who co-founded Body Glove with his identical twin brother, Bill, died Sunday, the company announced. He was 84.
Meistrell was on his boat, the Disappearance, on a return trip from Catalina Island when 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,' " Lesser said. "He will be greatly missed."
With his brother, who died at 77 in July 2006, Meistrell launched a company designing, manufacturing and selling the first commercially viable neoprene wetsuits.
They had joined the fledgling Dive N' Surf shop in Redondo Beach in 1953, and became sole owners by 1957. It was several years afterward that they'd coined the term Body Glove -- a logo that today adorns swimsuits, trunks and much more.
The company plans this year to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
"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's email said. "It is a shame that Bob will not be able to be with us during the 60th anniversary celebration."
kristin.agostoni@dailybreeze.com
Body Glove co-founder Bob Meistrell dies on boat returning from Catalina Island - The Daily Breeze
Meistrell was on his boat, the Disappearance, on a return trip from Catalina Island when 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,' " Lesser said. "He will be greatly missed."
With his brother, who died at 77 in July 2006, Meistrell launched a company designing, manufacturing and selling the first commercially viable neoprene wetsuits.
They had joined the fledgling Dive N' Surf shop in Redondo Beach in 1953, and became sole owners by 1957. It was several years afterward that they'd coined the term Body Glove -- a logo that today adorns swimsuits, trunks and much more.
The company plans this year to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
"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's email said. "It is a shame that Bob will not be able to be with us during the 60th anniversary celebration."
kristin.agostoni@dailybreeze.com
Body Glove co-founder Bob Meistrell dies on boat returning from Catalina Island - The Daily Breeze
