Body Glove co-founder Bob Meistrell dies at 84

Bob Meistrell, who co-founded the Body Glove clothing company and helped develop the first neoprene wetsuit, has died in Southern California. He was 84.

Body Glove International LLC President Russ Lesser tells the Torrance Daily Breezethat Meistrell suffered a heart attack on his boat Sunday while returning from Catalina Island and couldn’t be revived.

In the 1950s Meistrell and his identical twin, Bill, developed a wetsuit with the insulating material used in the back of refrigerators. The streamlined suit fit like a glove and eventually was marketed under the name Body Glove. The company celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Bill Meistrell died in 2006 at age 77.