Michael Phelps' Father?

[Jinx]

Has anything been said about Michael Phelps’ father? Did he die at an early age? Or, are his parents so bitterly divorced that his father won’t even acknowledge his son’s success? What’s been said about this, if anything?

[Fear_Itself]

He is alive, but apparently estranged:

Bowman said Phelps’ father, Fred, didn’t attend the games, as he did in 2000 and 2004 when he stayed out of the spotlight and sat separately from his ex-wife and daughters. Phelps frequently praises his mother publicly for her devotion to him and his career, while never discussing his father.

Asked to describe their relationship, Bowman said, “I think it’s just distant. I don’t think it’s good or bad. There’s not much there.”

[Ferret_Herder]

Straight Dope thread from two days ago on this very topic.

[DanBlather]

Is he Fin-ish?