Richard Walter "Rick" Gilbert (born September 23, 1943) is an American former diver and coach who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.

While Gilbert was the cornerstone, his success enabled Billingsley to attract additional top-tier divers including Lesley Bush, Ken Sitzberger, Cynthia Potter, Win Young, Jim Henry and Mark Lenzi.

[4]  Gilbert was named a member of the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, having won diving letters in 1963, 1964, and 1965.

While in Mexico City awaiting the start of the Games, he sprained his ankle, but still managed to place 17th after initially being favored to finish much higher.

There were national and international caliber divers who went to train with Gilbert during the summer and school year, including Phil Boggs, a 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist.

[5][6] One of Gilbert's most direct impacts is that many of his divers have gone on to coach diving themselves, paying back some of what Rick modeled and taught.

He and his wife, Jo, opened their hearts and home to the divers and established a unique bond among them, regardless of when their time was spent in his programs.

Rick and Jo had the ability to make individuals all feel like their favorites, and they have emphasized the importance of staying in contact over the years.