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Fairborn HS graduate, Paralympic medalist dies while rowing across Pacific Ocean

Angela Madsen, a 1978 Fairborn Baker High School graduate and Paralympic medalist, has died while attempting to row across the Pacific Ocean, her family said.

She was 60 years old.

“Many great students come from the halls of Fairborn High School and Ms. Madsen was one of them. Her life and passion to live life to the fullest is an incredible example for all of us” said Fairborn Superintendent Gene Lolli.

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Angela Madsen was a member of the high school’s volleyball team throughout high school. She wore number 21.

“Madsen was the main hitter; tallest kid on team; tough kid; hit the ball really hard and blocked well. The 1977 team was the Regional Runner up in the Ohio District tournament” said former Fairborn volleyball coach, Joan Dautel.

According to TEAM USA, Angela Madsen was a world-class rower. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice and was making her second attempt at a solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean when she died.

Family said after not hearing from Angela Madsen for several hours on June 21 an aircraft and cargo vessel was sent to check on her. She was declared dead on Monday night, family said.

TEAM USA reports Madsen was about 1,300 miles and 60 days into her journey to row solo from Los Angeles to Honolulu when she passed away. Her wife Debra Madsen posted about her death on Facebook and in a post on rowoflife.org, a website dedicated to her journey.

“We are processing this devastating loss,” Debra Madsen wrote in a post on rowoflife.org. “Angela was a warrior, as fierce as they come. A life forged by unbelievable hardship, she overcame it all and championed the exact path she envisioned for herself since she was a little girl. To row an ocean solo was her biggest goal. She knew the risks better than any of us and was willing to take those risks because being at sea made her happier than anything else. She told us time and again that if she died trying, that is how she wanted to go.”




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