Robert Trumbull, 52, marketing executive, swimming enthusiast and supporter

Robert B. Trumbull of 9 Powderhorn Drive, a marketing executive who was active in promoting and supporting swimming and other youth sports in Ridgefield, died unexpectedly Friday evening, July 7, at Danbury Hospital. He was 52 years old and the husband of Patricia Case Trumbull.
A descendant of an old Connecticut family, Mr. Trumbull was born in Torrington on July 11, 1947, a son of Jane Hubbard Trumbull of New Hartford and the late George R. Trumbull. He graduated in 1969 from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in physics, and received his master's in business administration from Harvard Business School in 1971.
Mr. Trumbull's career in marketing including both brand management and strategic marketing. At the time of his death, he was with Dynamic Marketing, which he founded in 1998.
He had previously worked with Wagner, Stott & Mercator in New York City, the Demeter Group in Connecticut, and Richardson-Vicks in Wilton.
The Trumbulls came to Ridgefield in 1977 from New Jersey, living at first on Forest Drive. From 1980 to 1983, the family was in Japan while Mr. Trumbull was on assignment with Richardson-Vicks. When they returned to the States, the Trumbulls moved to Powderhorn Drive.
Over the years Mr. Trumbull had been a leading supporter of competitive swimming programs for young people. He was active in the Ridgefield Family Y and, when that failed, worked to have the town take over the swimming facilities and programs.
"Swimming as a sport has been enormously helpful to those who have participated over the last several years," he wrote in 1992. "The sport requires mature commitment to the pursuit of longtime goals. This not only correlates well to academic success, but is genuinely respected by colleges."
Both his children, Benjamin and Elizabeth, swam for Ridgefield High School -- Ben was the captain of his team -- and Mr. Trumbull frequently attended meets.
"Both of our parents would support all the kids on the teams," said their daughter, Elizabeth C. Trumbull of Washington, D.C. "My father took a lot of photos for all the kids at swimming events." Many of the pictures appeared in the sports pages of The Press.
"He was always very encouraging," Elizabeth Trumbull said. "Whatever you wanted to do, he was very supportive."
She said her father was "very laid-back, even-tempered and gregarious. He was also very modest."
In recent years Mr. Trumbull had been active in the Wilton YMCA where he held various board assignments including treasurer. He himself was an avid swimmer and tennis player, and in recent years played more and more golf.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church.
Besides his wife, mother and daughter, Mr. Trumbull is survived by his son, Benjamin C. Trumbull of Cupertino, Calif.; three brothers, George and Peter Trumbull of West Simsbury and John Trumbull of New Hartford.
Services took place Wednesday at the First Congregational Church. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the First Congregational Church, 103 Main Street; to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford CT 06492; or to the ACLU, 125 Broad Street, New York NY 10004-2400.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.