Bob Beattie was both a catalyst and marketing godsend for the US ski industry. Between his broadcast career and time spent coaching ski racers, Beattie brought snow-sliding to the forefront of American culture. On Sunday he died in Fruita, surrounded by family.
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Following his coaching debut at Middlebury College (also his alma mater), Beattie lead the University of Colorado to multiple NCAA titles before taking the helm as the founding coach of the US Ski Team. Ultimately he would coach legends like Steamboat’s Billy Kidd and former CU ski teamer Jimmie Heuga to medals at the 1964 olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
Bob Beattie, an icon in alpine ski racing, an incredible coach and legend passed away this weekend at age 85. RIP Beats.
📰: https://t.co/obTJsAmC6F pic.twitter.com/EM5gXQz7Jz
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) April 2, 2018
Following his time spent as ‘coach,’ he would later move on to broadcasting with the like of ESPN and ABC, covering the olympics as well as other skiing related programs on television. Beattie is survived by two children as well as multiple grand kids and great-grand kids.
Find out more about the legend here: Founder Of U.S. Ski Team, Bob Beattie, Passes Away