Joe Ruddy

Joseph Aloysius Ruddy Sr. (September 28, 1878 – November 11, 1962) was an American competition swimmer and water polo player who represented the United States at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruddy won a gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the men's 4x50-yard freestyle relay. He won a second gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S. water polo team.

Ruddy was the father of 1928 Olympic swimmer Ray Ruddy, and two other sons and two daughters. His oldest son and namesake, Joseph Ruddy, Jr. was a U.S. Navy admiral.

He died at home in 1962; he was 84 years old.

In 1977, he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.