Peter Westbrook, the legendary black fencer and coach, has died at the age of 72

Peter Westbrook, the first black American fencer to win an Olympic medal and who later nurtured numerous Olympic champions by training underdog youth in New York, died Friday, according to his foundation.

He was 72 years old.

The the cause of death was cancer– according to an entry on Instagram of the Peter Westbrook Foundation from New York.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the founder and CEO of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, Peter Westbrook…” reads the post signed by Robert Cottingham, chairman of the board of the Peter Westbrook Foundation. “Surrounded by his family, Peter passed away peacefully from complications following a long and courageous battle with cancer.”

Corinne Cater, identified in the Instagram post as a family spokeswoman, confirmed Westbrook’s death to USA TODAY.

In 1984, Westbrook won an Olympic bronze medal at the Los Angeles Games in the individual relay. It was not only the first time a black American fencer won an Olympic medal, but also the first time in 36 years that an American won an Olympic medal in fencing.

An inductee into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame, Westbrook was a five-time Olympian. He first appeared at the Montreal Games in 1976 and competed in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

His influence as a coach was equally profound. Working with people in need, Westbrook founded the foundation in 1991 and helped raise seven Olympians.

Lauren Scruggs, an American fencer who represented the Peter Westbrook Foundation at the Olympics last summer, won the gold medal in the women’s relay and silver medal in women’s individual skating.

“Peter was not only the leader of this organization; he was the perfect embodiment of dedication to athletic excellence, civic engagement and youth mentoring,” states the Instagram of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, also known as PWF. “His unique spirit will be greatly missed by all PWF athletes, families and staff.” Peter’s steadfast commitment to nurturing scholar-athletes was a testament to his life’s purpose. As a thirteen-time United States Men’s Saber Champion and five-time Olympian, Peter set the standard of excellence for every student and staff.”

Westbrook also served on the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee and testified before the United States Senate and House of Representatives on the value of sports in providing opportunities for personal development, self-discipline and achievement, according to an Instagram post.

The son of a black American father and a Japanese mother, Westbrook was born on April 16, 1952 in Kansas City. He was raised by his mother, Mariko Wada-Westbrook.

“A child of the 1950s, Peter was raised by a destitute mother and as a teenager he faced the tumultuous civil rights riots of the 1960s in Newark, New Jersey,” according to the Peter Westbrook Foundation website.

Westbrook’s mother enrolled him in fencing classes to keep him out of trouble, and he earned a full scholarship to New York University and won the 1973 NCAA saber championship before his international career took off.

According to an Instagram post by Robert Cottingham, chairman of the board of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, Westbrook left behind his wife Susann, stepson Dorian Miles Sr., sister Vivian, grandchildren and extended family.

Services have not yet been confirmed, according to Cater, the family spokesman.