John "Bus" Fairbairn
AHS Swim Coach
The late Bus Fairbairn coached Aberdeen to state boys' swimming championships in 1948 and 1949. A former champion diver, he was employed by the Aberdeen School District for 37 years and took over as head swimming coach in 1944. In his 12 years at the helm, he coached eight individual state titlists and four state championship relay teams. Among his swimmers was Dick Hannula, who built Wilson of Tacoma into a state swimming dynasty.
He was inducted in the Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame in 1986, received a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Service Award in 1970, ans was named Bobcat of the Year in 1971.
Fairbairn's contributions to the community went far beyond coaching. Affiliated with the American Red Cross for more than 50 years, he participated in aquatic schools, taught lifesaving, water safety and canoeing classes and organized canoeing expeditions on local rivers. He also organized the Golden Fins, a girls' synchronized swimming group, and produced water shows at the Miller Natatorium for many years.
