Patrick Woepse was the kind of guy who you want as a roommate, teammate, friend, brother, uncle, next-door neighbor, co-worker, and husband. He had a smile and a demeanor that not only put everyone at ease, but also lent a positive, enthusiastic, can-do vibe to the air.

Prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, he told Jay Cohen of the Associated Press, “I’ve never been to an Olympics. It’s my only goal right now to make it to Paris and to watch her play.”

Her is Maddie Musselman (@maddiemusselman), the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s water polo MVP and 2-time Olympic gold medalist.

Woepse was in Paris to see all his wife’s games, but he passed away last night from a rare lung cancer at the age of 31.

The former UCLA water polo player will be very sorely missed by those who knew him and those throughout the American water polo community.

But Woepse also touched those in the channel swimming community. He was tough and full of grit, but he was also always very grateful who supported his interest in the open water.

In 2021, he completed a 32.3 km crossing of the Catalina Channel in 12 hours 53 minutes with support by his 2015 and 2016 NCAA Championship water polo teammates from UCLA including Paul Reynolds, Daniel Lenhart, Elliot Ordway, Anthony Daboub, Ryder Roberts, and Erik Najarian with observers Forrest Nelson and Rebecca Nevitt.

In August 2023, he completed a 33.5 km crossing of the English Channel in 10 hours 28 minutes with escort pilot Eddie Spelling – and “didn’t even get cold“.

Musselman posted on Instagram, “Heartbroken. Patrick gained his angel wings last night 10/10/24 surrounded by family🪽 No words to describe the ache of missing him. He was the light of my life and my person. He was my first love and the best husband I could have ever asked for. He opened my heart up to what love is and looks like and I will forever do my best to love as hard as Patrick loved from this day forward. He was a true blessing from God.

And although it feels heavy and I can’t breathe as I sit here typing this out, he is no longer in pain and was so at peace during his last moments. He battled one of the most rare cancers for over a year, never complained, and fought harder than anyone should have to fight for something in their life✨ He fought EVERY DAY to be here with us as long as he could. His courage was seen daily from day one.

I was so lucky to have gotten a front row seat of Pat’s life for the past 3 years. Our time together was cut way too short. I know for a fact I will continue to share stories of him for the rest of my life… get ready for it all.

The peace of God and the comfort of His hands has been felt in so many places. I know Pat is looking down and smiling with that perfect smile of his. He is definitely overjoyed to be running and swimming around all freely up in heaven. I can’t wait to run into his arms again one day❤️ until then, I promised him I would keep living life with him as my angel, guiding and motivating me, and never ever forgetting the ways he has made my life amazing. He promised me he would continue to show up and all I have to do is just look for him🌟

I love you so much babe. I will be missing you forever.“

As will the many, many others who were fortunate enough to cross in his path.

© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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