Bert M. Soden

September 16, 1949 - December 4, 2022

Bert Mark Soden , known as “The Legend” in the lifeguard community, died at home in Hollywood, Florida, on Sunday December 4th, at the age of 73.
Bert is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 40 years, Patricia and by his son Justin, who followed his father’s steps, and became a Marine Safety Officer for the Hollywood Beach Patrol.
Bert was born in Broomall, PA to Bert Edward Soden and Geraldine Ursula Soden. He married Patricia in 1982 and the couple welcomed their only son Justin Bert in 1995. Bert attended grade school at Saint Aloysius Academy, high school at Marple Newtown Square and college at West Chester University where he played varsity soccer and swimming.
 Bert began his lifelong lifeguard career at the age of 16 in New Jersey and continued life guarding for 50 years. In 1975, while working for the Wildwood Beach Patrol, he swam around Wildwood, NJ and in 1977, he was the first person to swim around Sea Isle City. Bert relocated to Florida and worked for the Hollywood Beach Patrol as a Marine Safety Officer. He was the first person to swim from the Haulover inlet in Dade county to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. He retired in 2021 from Miami Beach Ocean Rescue, after 38 years of service with them, at the age of 71. While lifeguarding he competed every year at the National Lifeguard Championships. Bert was an accomplished runner, Ironman Triathlete and long distance swimmer. He competed in 10 Boston Marathons, his first triathlon was the Ironman in the big island of Hawaii, he has 4 Ironman World Championships under his belt.
Bert was a generous and loving husband, father and friend who always had a smile in his face and always willing to help others. During his lifeguard tenure, Bert saved hundreds of lives and prevented hundreds of drownings. He was an icon in the Triathlon community. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in January of this year, Bert continued to lifeguard at the Triathlon events. He completed four 5k running races, two 1 mile ocean swim races and three events at the National Lifeguard Championships in Hermosa Beach, CA. For his birthday in September he swam in Wildwood, NJ, with his old lifeguard buddies and ran the 5K in Philly the same weekend. Bert also set up a spectacular weekend for his wife for their 40 year wedding anniversary. His last event was in October, where he paddle the 5 mile Whiskey Creek race with his son Justin and he wore a Superman outfit.
Bert fought his illness to the end and did what he loved the most. Now he is swimming in the Ocean Heavens. He is at peace now and he is probably already a member of the HBP (HEAVEN BEACH PATROL). He will always say: *God and the Ocean are my life source*.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 9th, 2022 from 5:00pm-9:00pm with a Prayer service at 7:00pm. Burial will be held the following day, Saturday, December 10th, 2022 at Dania Memorial Park(East) at 11:00am:324 W Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, Fl.
PADDLE OUT-Wednesday, December 14, 2022-MIAMI BEACH OCEAN RESCUE ,1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 at 4:00PM.