Karl Ruberl

Who was Karl Ruberl?

Karl Ruberl, A.K.A. Charles Ruberl Sr., was an Austrian swimmer who competed in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the 200 meter events. He participated in swimming at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris and won the silver medal in the 200 meter backstroke and the bronze medal in the 200 meter freestyle.

After the Olympics Karl immigrated to and then became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. During this process he changed his name to Charles Ruberl. He continued competitive swimming for the New York Athletic Club and set several American swimming records. After his swimming career he went into banking, and then helped found Bainbridge, Ryan & Ruberl – a stock brokerage firm trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Ruberl also was an accomplished musician and performed with the Brooklyn Academy of Music on violin and piano. He retired before the 1929 stock market crash and lived in New York City until his death in 1966. He was a friend of Otto Wahle, another Austrian swimmer who also immigrated to the US.

Karl married Lida St. George and is survived, as of 10/2007, by four great grandchildren, four grandchildren and a daughter-in-law - all whom reside in the US.