RENO, Nevada - Longtime USA Track & Field volunteer and contributor Bob Fine of Delray Beach, Fla., was struck and killed by a car while running at 5:45 a.m. In Reno, police confirmed Wednesday morning. Fine, 77, was in Reno to attend USATF's 2008 Annual Meeting.
Fine's contributions to USATF and the sport are countless. A member of the Masters Track & Field Hall of Fame, he was an avid race walker who served USATF in numerous capacities. A retired attorney, Fine had served as chair of the Masters Track & Field, Masters Law & Legislation and Masters Race Walk Committees. He had at various times been Southeastern Masters chair, Masters Long Distance Running Vice Chair, the North American Race Walk Chair and a member of the Masters Hall of Fame Committee. A past president of USATF's Florida Association, Fine attended 38 of the last 39 USATF Annual Meetings.
"Bob's contribution to USA Track & Field has been enormous, and we are all stunned by this terrible tragedy," said USATF President Bill Roe. "To get news like this is always devastating, and to have it happen here at our Annual Meeting adds to the shock of what has occurred. Our deepest sympathies to go his family, and to the many, many people who benefited from his tireless work."
In addition to his USATF voluntarism, Fine was one of the founders of World Masters Athletics (WMA), and he served as the first national chair of the organization. He also had previously been WMA's North American Chair, Stadia Chair and the organization's executive vice president.
Fine is survived by his wife, Gloria, and five children.