Retired executive dies pursuing sport he loved
John T. Sloan started pursuing his passion for swimming after retiring in his early 50s from a corporate career that included top jobs at United Stationers Inc. and the former Sears Roebuck and Co.
Mr. Sloan, 58, of Lake Forest, died Saturday morning while participating in the sport that his wife said took him to masters competitions from California to Australia.
"I remember him smiling and always enjoying himself," Barbara Sloan said of her late husband Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Sloan also became certified in his retirement so he could serve as one of the coaches for the prestigious Lake Forest Swim Club, his wife said.
Preliminary McHenry County coroner's office findings show Mr. Sloan suffered a heart attack during a swimming competition on Crystal Lake. He was pronounced dead a little after 9 a.m. Saturday in the emergency room of Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, where he had been rushed after unsuccessful efforts to revive him on the lakeshore, Deputy McHenry County Coroner Curt Bradshaw said.
Additional tests will be conducted, including toxicology, although there is no indication drugs or alcohol played a role in Mr. Sloan's death, Bradshaw said after Sunday's autopsy.
Officials said Sloan was participating in the Crystal Lake Park District's Open Water Swim Race when he was observed going off course Saturday morning.
A lifeguard in a boat approached and asked if he needed assistance, according to a park district statement. Mr. Sloan continued swimming, and the lifeguard again asked if he needed help before extending a rescue tube to him.
"At that point, the swimmer became passive and the lifeguard immediately entered the water and brought the swimmer to shore where trained lifeguards responded immediately," reads the park district's statement on the incident.
Park district officials said there were 210 swimmers participating in the race, another 150 spectators on shore and 50 lifeguards keeping watch.
Mr. Sloan, a New Jersey native who attended Fordham and Cornell universities, started his corporate career with the former Philip Morris Cos. Inc. He worked his way to Sears where he moved up to executive vice president of human resources, then jumped to a similar post at United Stationers' headquarters in Deerfield in 2002 before his retirement about four years ago.
Barbara Sloan said she and her husband were married 28 years. Mr. Sloan also is survived by three children.
Mr. Sloan participated in at least 100 swim meets since his retirement, his wife said.
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<li><a href="/story/?id=393303">Man who died during Crystal Lake swim race may have had heart attack <span class="date">[7/11/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=393219">Lake Forest man dies during Crystal Lake swim competition <span class="date">[7/10/10]</span></a></li>
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