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In Memoriam


Memorial to Norsk Patroller Steve Giovagnoli

 

 

We lost a fellow Birkie patroller Sunday, November 13, 2011. Steve was a long term Birkie family member and a great guy. I think he’ll always be remembered as one of our “flying squad” speedsters, and always quick with a smile and snappy one-liner. And always willing to do what it takes to help another. I never skied with Steve in the earlier years (cause he would have driven me into the ground!) but did get a chance to ski as his partner this last year.

Steve will be missed in so many ways. My thoughts and prayers go out to his girlfriend, family, and friends.

Drew Flaada ~ American Birkebeiner, Hiawatha Nordic and Welch Village patrols

I could always count on Steve to to share a positive thought; I never heard him complain or speak negatively about anyone or anything.

Kathy Schmidt ~ American Birkebeiner, and Glacial Park patrols

Steve and I served in the old Norsk patrol at Waterfall Glen, we would patrol there and then go to Camp Sagawau for a sweep. When DuPage County would no longer allow the patrol to work at the Glen because of liability issues, I moved to VO Nordic and Steve helped out at various locations. When Lee Nielsen died and I became PD, I bumped into Steve at the Birkie and invited him to join us, he did and we went full circle and became Norsk again.

We enjoyed our “all Nordic” refreshers and became a close knit family. Eventually Nordic numbers dwindled because of death and illness and Steve and I went to Grand Geneva for our refresher and CPR. The last time I saw him was on October 30th. As usual, we teamed up to practice our skills. We talked about the importance of keeping the Nordic patrols and dreamed about the day that we could have our Nordic family back together at our refreshers.

We talked about the Birkie. Steve was  excited because it was his 15th year on the patrol and he just received his Birkie vest. I liked Steve, he was sincere about serving, he was a great skier and had a wonderful, upbeat attitude. I could depend on Steve, he always kept his word.

I shall miss him at Norsk, I will miss him at the Birkie!

Steve, I hope that your snow is good and your skis are waxed. May you never lose that “Birkie Fever”!  I will miss you my friend.

Pat Michals ~ Patrol Representative - Norsk Nordic patrol, American Birkebeiner patrol

 

 

Memorial to Grand Geneva Patroller James Holder

 

 

On October 9, 2011, Grand Geneva Ski Patrol lost James Holder, one of the most respected and loved patrollers.

Jim Holder was born November 28, 1937 in Scottsville, KY. He was a graduate of Indiana University, Kelly School of Business, BA, and Loyola University, MBA. He was a veteran of the Army. Jim was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the Masons of the Masonic Lodge for 52 years.

Jim and his wife Gretchen of almost 50 years loved to travel the world and cherished spending time with their two children Jim (Julie) Holder and Susan (Richard) Masterson; his grandchildren, Bridget and Brook Masterson and Kevin, Julie and Daniel Holder.

This past April, Jim received his 40 year service award.  Jim started at the Holiday Park Ski Patrol.  When Holiday Park closed he moved to Majestic Hills where he patrolled until it closed. Jim then moved to Grand Geneva Ski Area where he patrolled on the Thursday Night shift. He served in many capacities in the various patrols, namely as a Hill Trainer of patrollers, he became a member of the board and recently became Treasurer.

When a child came to the Ski area without a warm hat or gloves Jim always s had extras in his ski bag.

Jim will be greatly missed.

Nannetter Patnaude - Grand Geneva Patrol

 

Memorial to Snow Creek Patroller Robert J Thompson

 

Robert J Thompson Remembered

March 13, 1938 - November 29, 2008

Robert J “Buffy Bob” Thompson, a longtime member of the Snow Creek Ski Patrol, passed away November 25, 2008.  Robert began his patrol career at Mount Bleu Ski Area in Lawrence, Kansas in 1969.  He was very active in the operations of the patrol becoming the Patrol Director and remaining in that position until the area closed. 

Robert worked hard to keep the patrol together.  He and the other patrollers moved to Mt. Crescent Ski Area in Mt. Crescent, Iowa.  Then after 10 years of service at Mt. Crescent, Robert was asked to help develop the Trail Ridge Ski Area ski patrol in Nebraska.  He, along with the group of patrollers that went to Trail Ridge was then given an opportunity to develop a patrol at a new area which was closer to home.  The Snow Creek Ski patrol was formed and Robert was very instrumental in its development.  He brought his knowledge and dedication to Snow Creek.  He was elected twice to the position of Patrol Director of the Snow Creek Patrol.

Robert was also very active in the Kansas City Ski Club and the Heartland Winter Games for Special Olympics.  When Robert was not pulling patrol shifts in the winter he worked for Lutz, Daily and Brain Consulting Engineers in Kansas City.

 Robert will be greatly missed by one and all.

 Submitted by E. Edward Reitz Snow Creek Ski Patrol

 

Memorial to Seven Oaks Patroller Dennis Pike

 

Members of the former Southwest region as well as the Central Division lost a great friend and valuable member on November 26, 2008.  Dennis Pike passed away after a year long battle with liver cancer. He was diagnosed Thanksgiving weekend, 2007 and made the decision to fight his cancer and did so, finally giving in (not up) to the disease following a year filled with doing all the things he loved most: skiing, golfing, motorcycling and boating.

Dennis made great contributions to the NSP both at the local level and the region.  He joined the NSP in 1999 and completed his senior in  2003(?)   He had completed his PSIA level one certification and was working toward his level two. He had served as the ski school advisor for the Southwest Region since 2006.  He also served as a toboggan instructor. 

Dennis patrolled at Seven Oaks in Boone, Iowa last season while receiving chemotherapy.  This summer, he rode his Harley to Oklahoma over Memorial Day weekend with friends, many of whom were ski patrollers.  He played golf as often as he felt able, and continued to boat with friends and family at Lake Perry in Perry, Kansas which with so many ski patrollers as members of the marina there, it could be known as Mt. Lake Perry!

While on hospice and being cared for by his wife Lea at home, Dennis continued to plan for the benefit of the NSP.  As recently as late October, Dennis had discussion with members of the Seven Oaks patrol for the training and development of the ski school at Seven Oaks, a commitment he had made with other patrollers and area management last year.

Dennis leaves a great legacy to those who knew him, a love for skiing and patrolling, for teaching and sharing his knowledge with others.  Dennis, thanks for sharing your time, energy and passion with us all! 

Submitted by Mindy Mitchell


Memorial to Wilmot Patroller Lew Krimen

 

Lew Krimen has been many things to Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol, as recently as Slope Leader for one of our Day Shifts and the Patrol’s “Alumni Liaison.”  Lew’s passing marks an era of dedicated teachers from a day when personal experience meant respect.

A very active Patroller since joining in 1968, he brought authority and personal, first-hand knowledge to his patrolling and teaching. According to some of the details in his profile per the National Ski Patrol database:

·         Level 1 Avalanche course: 1969

·         Mountain Travel & Rescue: 1971

·         Level 2 Avalanche course and Mountain Travel & Rescue 2: 1973

·         Phase II Training: Global Phase 2 and Avalanche Phase 2: 1995

·         Mountain Travel & Rescue Instructor  is active through 2010

·         National Appointment # 4665.

Lew was never shy about participating and would not be shy about providing a piece of his experience. And he was always an active participant. As a Basic Patroller, I was a student in some of his classes, which were extraordinary and rich with embellishment from his personal experiences. He leaves a legacy in Lisa, his daughter, an Active Patroller at Wilmot.

Dare I say, his experiences will live on. And Lew will certainly be missed.

Respectfully,

Christopher Morris
Patrol Director/Rep.
Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol
Wilmot, Wisconsin

September 16, 2008

 I’ve just said goodbye to our friend, Lew

 In my own private, personal way, I’ve just finished saying goodbye to my friend, Lew Krimen. 

 I’ve been asked to tell you about him and now, I can.

 A lot of people thought he was eccentric.  And, he was.  He thrived on being thought of that way, but there was far more to him than that. 

 Lew Krimen was a basically good man.

 If you needed a friend, you could always count on Lew.  If you asked something of him, there was never any doubt as to his response. 

 To sum up any man’s life in one short note is difficult, but let me do it in one sentence... 

 Lew Krimen was a good man. 

 What more can you say about anyone?  He was a good man.  A man with a never ending intellectual curiosity.   A compassionate man who never forgot any detail of your life and always wanted to know about you… and your opinions… and your thoughts.  Oh, sure, he could drive you crazy… he’d rush up to you, in the Patrol Room, hustle you into the back room with a conspiratorial gleam in his eye, pull you close and then whisper in your ear “So, how are you?”  And, the funny thing was, he really wanted to know!  It wasn’t a cliché “How are you?”, Lew really wanted to know.  And, six or seven years later, he’d remember what you said and he’d ask follow-up questions!

 Lew was dedicated to the Patrol. When his health was failing and he was no longer able to ski, he’d still appear for his duty shift to help in the Patrol Room. 

 He was, simply, “Mr. Avalanche” in the Central Division.  Who knows how many Patrollers he introduced to the science of avalanche in the classrooms here and in the snow pits and shoots of Utah’s mountains.  He taught first aid and mountaineering and avalanche and lots of other things… like how to live your life as a gentleman… as a purely good man.

 He wore a whole constellation of stars on his name bar, but he most treasured the one he received for a high altitude rescue on one of the many mountains he climbed.  He was an advocate for mountaineering.  It’s because of him that I found myself on the slopes of Mt. Rainier, with his crampons on my boots, his ice ax in my mittened hands not once, but twice.  He had an evangelical zeal for mountaineering.

 He had a wonderful sense of humor and never laughed at any joke as hard as one where he was the butt of the joke.  I teased him about being a “Rooky” because even though he had 40 years of service in the Patrol, we both received our National numbers the same night… and mine are 53 digits ahead of his!  He always had the grace to allow me to be satisfied by pretending to be offended by the “Rooky” reference.

 Lew left behind, a life long soul mate, Lenora, two children, Lisa (a member of the Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol) and Mark, a son-in-law, Max, and two grandchildren, and … and a hellava lot of  Patrol friends who will miss him and think about him… and when that angry freezing wind comes charging over the crest of the winter laden hill and the wind chill drops off the charts… we’ll think of Lew, laugh at the weather’s feeble attempts to dissuade us and then go out to do our duty shift in Lew’s memory and honor.

 Sam Frank                              


Memorial to Swiss Valley Patroller Jim Smith

Southern Region, Section 4 and Swiss Valley in particular, lost one of its’ first and long time patrollers May 14, 2008 when Jim Smith did not survive quintuple bypass heart surgery.  

My Dad became a patroller in 1969, a “graduate” of the first NSPS training program at Swiss Valley & continued there his entire patrolling career. He began his skiing journey in earnest in the 1950s after graduating as a civil engineer from Purdue University. In true Warren Miller Fashion, he moved to Colorado, settled in the Denver area & “bummed” that winter, enjoying many of the slopes in the Rockies. Other ski adventures over the years took him to Europe & New Zealand, but Swiss Valley was always his ski home. This was so much his passion that each of my sisters and I in turn, became patrollers and instructors as well.

  Many of you will remember him as the venerable “Clothing Department Manager” of the annual Chicago Ski Swap and Show, a position he and his wife Sally took charge of for many seasons. For several years, Jim offered his services as a guide in the program for visually impaired skiers at Timber Ridge Ski Area as well as Swiss Valley.  His well- deserved NSP accolades accumulated over the years, including repeat Southern Cross honors, numerous Certificates of Appreciation, a Yellow Merit Star, and the Black and Blue Award.

     He was a CPR IT for both NSP and the American Red Cross in the Portage, MI community. One of his great delights in his retirement was mentoring/tutoring academically at-risk students in math through the Portage Community Outreach Program.

His gentle guiding hand and helping ways have touched so many of us; his presence at Swiss Valley and beyond – will be sorely missed by all, none more so than us. 

Thank you for being such a great role model, mentor, teacher and Dad.

Tom and Sue Smith

 


Memorial to Des Plaines River Nordic Patroller Mike Boxer

Our friend and fellow Patroller Michael Boxer lost his battle with cancer at the beginning of December 2007. Mike was PR for Des Plaines River Nordic Patrol on and off for many years. He participated at Glacial Park Ski Patrol events over the years as well, and was always there when we needed an extra hand. Michael was a good friend that touched many lives in our National ski patrol family, as well as in his personal life. Mike’s Wife Frada sent a note out when it was suggested that Mike go into Hospice Care at the end of November and many of you responded with comments and fond memories that were in turn shared with Mike. I can only guess that some of those comments made him smile and helped him and his family know that he touched many lives and was acknowledged by many as a kind and gentle man that was always willing to help out when needed and teach what he knew. Mike was awarded the Southern Cross on three separate occasions for fundraising and as Patrol Director in our Southern Region, and many of us remember him as an OEC instructor and Nordic toboggan instructor. Mike was always present at the Trail of History weekend for which he volunteered at the first aid tent, often staying overnight. Mike was also on the “Birkie” patrol for many years traveling to Hayward Wisconsin to patrol the American Birkebeiner Nordic Race each February. Mike enjoyed the outdoors and had a great appreciation for nature, an active canoeist he was honored after his passing with a December canoe paddle down the Des Plaines River with a close group of friends wishing him farewell. Mike is survived by his wife Frada, his two sons Russell and Eric and grandchild Caden. He will be greatly missed.

Respectfully submitted by
Sue Fishburn
Patrol Representative
Glacial Park Nordic

 


Memorial to Villa Olivia Nordic Patroller Bob Faulkner 

NSP lost one of it’s long term dedicated patrollers, Monday June 18, 2007, when Bob Faulkner past away.  Bob joined the NSP in 1979 as a Nordic patroller.  Bob contributed to the NSP in so many ways.  He made presentations to attract new members, he handled public relations at the Region level, and he was a member of the Speaker’s Bureau.  He was a regular worker at the Ski Sale and headed up the Nordic Department for many years.  He taught OEC and taught patrollers to be instructors of OEC as well as teaching Instructor Trainers.  He was the mainstay of the nordic basic training for over ten years and held the Assistant Nordic Advisor position in charge of testing and training for five years.  He was an MTR instructor, and completed many other electives as well.  Bob was a member of several patrols including the Norsk Nordic Patrol, the Villa Olivia Nordic Patrol, the Cary Ski Jump Patrol, the Glacial Park Patrol, the Birkie Patrol, the Northern IL Nordic Patrol, and the Joliet Nordic Patrol.  Bob earned numerous awards including National Outstanding Nordic Patroller twice, and the Primly Outstanding Birkie Service Award and in 1991 Bob earned National number 7388.

My favorite memory of Bob is when he bought his book “Cross Country Ski in One Day” and instructed my grandson’s scout troop; from which many of the boys got their Snow Sports Merit Badge.

Al Down

Villa Olivia Nordic - National Number 4880

I remember the early years when we were "guests" of the Sawyer County Sheriff.  Bob always wanted to have a bed down location in the 'jail'.  It was very important to him to say he slept in the jail for the Birkie weekend.
Howard C. Holz                   

Viking Nordic Patrol, MN

 I was lucky enough to have known and to have worked with Bob for many years.  I can honestly say that there are few people that were, or are as devoted to ski patrolling as Bob was.  To me, Bob was more than just a fellow patroller, he was a genuine friend. I am really going to miss him.
Norm Janowicz
Indianhead Patrol, MI

Bob Faulkner - He was the best coach, mentor, advisor and driver for me, as going through the senior OEC, he would NOT let you fail. 
Bill Johnson
Villa Olivia Patrol, IL

Bob was a strong example of the commitment it takes to make a volunteer organization like ours successful.
Julie Timmons

DPRN, Wilmot Patrols

Bob in a nutshell: A solid friend with boundless enthusiasm for projects large and small.
Don Creelman

Right after Bob had gotten his yellow Porsche, he had come to my company for a morning press check
and drove his new Porsche so I could see it. We went for lunch, it was cold that day, but Bob had
the top down. Knowing I was a former gear head, he pushed the car hard to show me the acceleration
and as we approached a red light (very fast) I looked at him and said, " you know that light is red", he nonchalantly turned to me and said " I know, I want to show you also how fast it stops".
Well it did, and we just turned to each other and smiled.
He will be greatly missed.
Mark Johnson
BFCPRINT.com

Bob was a great friend and strong supporter of the Ski Patrol, especially the Birkie Ski Patrol. He was a great help in organizing, cajoling and herding in the early days of patrolling the race. His artistic contributions ranged from good-natured teasing to art on our memorabilia.
I am saddened to learn of his passing.  His unique wit, cheerful disposition, and endless goodwill will not be forgotten.
Toby Markowitz

(Roseville, MN, retired National Ski Patrol #5770, past Division Nordic Advisor, Birkie Ski Patrol founder, current XC ski competitor)

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