Late Olympic Gold Medalist Gymnast Jim Hartung’s Wife, Lisa, Played a Significant Role During His Cancer Journey In 2010!

Jim and Lisa had four kids.

January 12, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on January 12, 2026

Longtime assistant coach for the University of Nebraska men’s gymnastics team, Jim Hartung, passed away from heartattack on from a massive heart attack on January 10, 2026, at the age of 65.

Decorated American gymnast Jim Hartung is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their four kids, Jimmy, Nick, Jake, and Hannah.

He died from a massive heart attack while at home with his oldest son, Jimmy, watching his beloved Green Bay Packers play in a playoff game.

Jim’s wife, Lisa, stood by him through some of the hardest days he ever faced.

Back when Jim was fighting throat cancer in 2010, she played a big part in keeping him going. Every Monday for 10 straight weeks, she drove him to his radiation treatments in Lincoln.

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It was a tough routine, with him heading to the doctor’s office day after day. She made sure he got there on her assigned day.

Jim talked about this openly in a with the University of Nebraska Athletics site, right around the time he was going into their Hall of Fame.

He said his support system, including his wife, family, friends, and the people he worked with, was what carried him through the whole ordeal.

The Olympian mentioned how he always felt a huge appreciation for them, and he singled out Lisa for those Monday drives.

Olympian Jim Hartung Had a 19-Season Coaching Career with Nebraska Gymnastics!

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, grew up competing at Omaha South High School before heading to the University of Nebraska. There, he became a significant part of the men’s gymnastics program under coach Francis Allen.

From 1979 to 1982, he helped the Huskers win four straight NCAA team championships.

On his own, Jim collected an incredible 22 All-America honors and seven individual NCAA titles, including back-to-back all-around championships in 1981 and 1982.

Later, he capped his college career by earning the Nissen-Emery Award as the nation’s top senior gymnast.

After college, Jim represented the United States on the international stage. He made the 1980 Olympic team, though the U.S. boycott kept him from competing in Moscow.

Four years later, at the Los Angeles Games, he played a key role in the U.S. men’s team winning its first and only Olympic team gold medal.

Jim also competed at multiple World Championships, earning a team bronze in 1979 and placing well on events like vault.

In 1997, he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Later honors included the inaugural Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2015 and the first College Gymnastics Association Hall of Fame in 2026.

Jim returned to Nebraska in 2006 as an assistant coach for the men’s gymnastics team, first under Francis Allen and then with Chuck Chmelka.

For 19 seasons, he mentored generations of athletes, sharing his knowledge and building the same kind of relationships that had defined his own career.

Even on the Friday before he passed, Jim was in the gym doing what he loved, i.e., coaching and connecting with the current gymnasts.

His sudden demise has left a void, and he will be missed very much. Funeral services and ways to honor his life will be shared as details become available.

Rest Easy, Jim Hartung!

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