Body Glove co-founder Bob Meistrell died on his boat, the Disappearance, at the age of 84 when returning from a trip to Catalina Island Sunday June 16th, 2013.  He was working on the boat's engine when he suffered a heart attack and was unable to be revived.  Meistrell, featured here on our website, was best known as a surfing and diving legend who started a company with his twin brother, Bill, designing, manufacturing, and selling neoprene wetsuits. This company later became known worldwide as Body Glove.  The brothers got their start in Redondo Beach in 1953 when they joined the Dive N' Surf shop and later became its sole owners in 1957.  Body Glove is planning its 60th Anniversary this year.  Bob was preceded in death by his brother in July of 2006 at the age of 77.

Bob was the first certified dive instructor, among his many other accomplishments.  You can read more about Bob Meistrell's fascinating and productive career right here on our website in his biography. The President of Body Glove International, Russ Lesser, wrote of Bob Meistrell, "His motto was 'Do what you love, love what you do,'" ...that he did and he did it well.

Bob Meistrell was much more than his accomplishments, he was a man of character and integrity and we at ILD feel blessed to have known him as a friend. He will be greatly missed.

A Fresh New Look for International Legends of Diving

We hope you enjoy the new look of our ILD website. We continue to be dedicated to bringing to life the colorful stories of those diving legends who have come before us.

Our new format will enable us to readily inform our readers of the latest biographies we have posted, as well as share relevant news items on a timely basis.

The history of scuba diving is something that dates back over one hundred years, replete with legendary characters who spearheaded the sport. Some of these legends of diving went to great lengths to explore the underwater world before diving equipment was readily available to the average person. We are here to share the colorful stories of their makeshift dive equipment and the obstacles they overcame to bring diving to the common man.

Through our legends of scuba diving site you will experience the adventures of shipwrecks, treasure hunters, cave diving, and even more and learn of these human legends, both living and dead, who made the joys of scuba diving available the world over.