Our friend Palle has left us! 
  
Bollnäs SS* have suffered big grief and loss through Per-Alvar "Palle" Magnusson's tragic and sudden death. 
After a brain-bleeding during the Swedish Masters Championship in Söderhamn, Palle died April 2 2009 at Bollnäs Hospital. 
  
Per-Alvar began his swimming career in Bollnäs SS* about forty years ago, a career that went through Gävle SS* and Uppsala SS*. 
In the late seventies, Palle trained and studied at Berkeley University of California at, where he celebrated great triumphs both in water and in school. 
  
Palles greatest swimming successes in the pool is SM Gold in 100m freestyle in 1978, World Championship bronze in the 4x100 m freestyle in Berlin 1978, Per-Alvar also participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. 
  
When Palle and his family decided to move back to their native town, Bollnäs SS* acquired a committed leader and coach.
  
To see Palle lead his swimmers around training and racing was a sight to behold, in his humble and engaging manner, he received both children and adults around him to grow. Palle had the ability to reach out to all who wanted to participate. 
  
Palle resumed his swimming in the later years, and was one of the driving forces in Bollnäs SS* Masters Tour.

Again Palle celebrated great triumphs with his fantastic technique on freestyle and butterfly not least. Before this year's Masters SM Palles goal was to bring European record in 50m butterfly, unfortunately he was not able to realize this. 
  
Palle has also in recent years played a significant role in the association's positive development. With his sharp intellect and analytical ability Palle was a great asset as a sounding board and mentor. 
  
As a person Palle always gave more than what he took and he was a person with strong integrity. Communicating with Palle was a huge and exciting development, he had the ability to take the dialogue beyond the usual phrases and answers. For Palle nothing was black or white just shades of everything. It was extremely nice to have him as a friend. 
  
Bollnäs SS has lost a wonderful friend and enthusiast. The loss is large and heavy and hard to bear but we can look back at the time the association got together with Palle as very positive. He will always be with us! 
  
Finally, our thoughts go out to Palles family, Kiki with their sons Oscar and Gustav, Palles's brother Kalle and his family, and Palles mother Kickan. Bollnäs SS* will always be there for you. 
  
Bollnäs SS* 
Torbjorn Svensk 

*  “SS=Swim Association”