Bill Iffrig, Symbol of Resilience, Passes Away at 89
Bill Iffrig, the man who captured the nation’s attention with his display of resilience during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, has died at the age of 89. He passed away on January 8 at a memory care facility in Marysville, Wash., according to his son, Mark Iffrig.
Although Mr. Iffrig didn’t start running until the age of 42, he quickly became an accomplished mountaineer and chairman of a local climbing club. He went on to win numerous national championships in races of varying distances, participating in over 50 marathons, including multiple Boston Marathons.
In the 2015 Boston Marathon, Mr. Iffrig placed second in his age group of 80-plus, showcasing his enduring passion for running even in his later years.
A Symbol of Resilience
However, it was his participation in the 2013 Boston Marathon that truly brought Mr. Iffrig into the national spotlight. As two bombs detonated near the finish line, he was knocked to the ground, captured in a poignant photograph by John Tlumacki of The Boston Globe.
In a 2015 interview with MSNBC, Mr. Iffrig recalled the moment of the explosion and his decision to keep going despite the chaos around him. He assessed himself for injuries and, finding none, made the courageous choice to continue. His determination and refusal to quit made him a symbol of resilience.
President Barack Obama even mentioned Mr. Iffrig by name when addressing the nation after the bombings, highlighting his remarkable spirit and likening it to the strength that the country needed to recover.
A Life Well Lived
Before his photograph circulated across the news, Mr. Iffrig lived a quiet life in Washington State. Born on June 13, 1934, in Everett, Wash., he worked as a carpenter for Weyerhaeuser, a pulp mill, for about 20 years before retiring.
He later became a brick mason for Scott Paper Company, working there for another 20 years before his second retirement. Throughout his life, Mr. Iffrig remained humble, regardless of his accomplishments in racing.
Mr. Iffrig is survived by his son, Mark, and daughter, Susan Shephard, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Donna, to whom he was married for 69 years, passed away in November. Tragically, his other son, Curtis, died in a car crash at the age of 17 in 1979.
Final Words
Bill Iffrig’s legacy will forever be intertwined with the resilience he displayed during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. His determination to continue running despite the adversity he faced inspired a nation and made him a symbol of strength.
May he rest in peace, knowing that his story will continue to inspire others to never give up in the face of challenges.
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