February 14, 1961, Brussels, Belgium:
A plane carrying the entire delegation of the United States Figure Skating Association's World Team: skaters, coaches, judges, and family members, crashed killing everyone aboard the plane. Among the crash victims was Penguin Figure Skating Club member Bill Kipp.
A triple-gold medalist, he was known as an artistic skater. As a coach, he was known for coaching Peggy Flemming. Below are images of some of his many awards which were on display June 12, 2004 at a meet and greet held by the Penguin Figure Skating Club. Many of these items have been sent to the USFSA Museum and can be seen on display there.
Many thanks to the Kipp family for sharing their memories and allowing these photographs and quotes to be used on this page.
For more information on the history of the USFSA Memorial Fund: http://www.usfsa.org/About.asp?id=206
To contribute to the memorial fund: http://www.usfsa.org/About.asp?id=9637
Until June 2004, the plaque at the left hung in honor of Bill Kipp at the Ice Palace. It has since been sent to the USFSA. It reads:
In Memory of
William Robert Kipp
1932-1961
Member of Penguin Figure Skating Club
Triple Gold Medalist
Inspired Professional
He perished with the 1961 United States Figure Skating Team at Brussels.
"Bill Kipp was one of the first coaches to
truly inspire me. I was only 12 when he died in the tragic crash, but
his early lessons stayed with me throughout my career. The fact that
he could physically demonstrate skating moves helped his young students
so much.......and he always made lessons fun.
Although his life was cut short, I hope his legacy will be long and
inspire future generations."
-Peggy Flemming Jenikins
Information Wanted!
The Kipp family is looking for an original copy of the straddle jump photo that appears at the left. The caption for this photo appears below.
If you have any information that may help them in their search, please contact the webmaster who will put you in contact with the Kipps.
June 10, 2004
"I wish I could be with you to share all the
memories we all have of my beloved Bill. The 5 years I had with him held
so many thoughts and memories that I have held all these years. The oneness
we had every time we stepped on the ice together gave me a joy of skating
that I never experienced with the partner that I won the 5 World titles
with and would never have learnt without meeting Bill. I have not met
anyone since Bill nor ever will -he will always be the Love of My Life.
He was not perfect but perfect for me.
I remember the jokes he told=noone could tell them better-Mrs Fuffunick-Remember
that one? Coming from England I did not have the lingo or language to
understand a lot of his jokes and after a couple of months laughing in
ignorance I finally asked him to explain to me the word SH**!!! I was
a great sense of amusement.
One of the funniest times I had was the Dress Rehearsal for Rhapsodero
that we had choreographed together with the help of Linda Braukmann (who
later trained Karen Magnussen to a World Title) Everything went wrong
and the more they did the more hysterical Linda and I became and the madder
Bill got.
I have wonderful memories that have stayed with me through the years as
I know all of you have-he will never be forgotten by many.
I had great visits to Allentown with all his family and they really were
my U.S. family for many years-Ruhann was especially a friend to me.
Bill never wanted to grow old-he was like Peter Pan and he often told
me he felt he would die young. What an exceptional talent.
Like me remember him with pride and love he will never be forgotten."
His Partner
Jean Westwood
June 11, 2004
"I am sorry that I can't be there in person at this great event honoring Bill Kipp. He was a marvelous person and a wonderful skater."
Sincerely,
Frank Carroll
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