Richie Weiss
From: INTERNET:USCKT@aol.com
To: [74212,3167]
Date: Fri, Jun 27, 1997, 4:59 PM
Subject: Rich Weiss Memorial Fund
The Weiss family has established a Memorial Fund for Rosi and the baby.
Anyone wishing to contibute to the Richard Weiss Memorial Fund may send
their donations to: Richard Weiss Memorial Fund, Colorado Community First
National Bank, P.O. Box 2948, Steamboat Springs, Colo. 80477.
-USCKT Staff
Here's the press release on the accident.
Olympic Kayaker Killed in Paddling Accident
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Fish, USCKT Communications (317) 237-5690
(June 26) -- Two-time slalom kayak Olympian Rich Weiss, 33, passed away last
night following an accident on the White Salmon River, just north of White
Salmon, Washington. Weiss, an expert kayaker, was paddling a difficult
stretch of the river which was swollen with recent rain and snow melt. He
was wearing a life jacket and helmet.
"Richie's death is a tragic loss for the paddling community," said Terry
Kent, U.S. Canoe and Kayak Team Executive Director. "Many of our athletes are
admired for their skill and ability. Richie had all of that, but above all
he was known for his caring and calm compassion, friendship and class. Our
thoughts and prayers are with his wife Rosi. He will be dearly missed."
Weiss, originally from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, moved to Hood River,
Oregon following the 1996 Olympic Games with his wife, Rosi, who is expecting
their first child this fall. Weiss earned a Masters degree in Hydrogeology
from Penn State University, in State College, Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in
Geological Sciences at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver,
British Columbia. He owned his own company, Weisswater Associates, where he
served as an Environmental Consultant.
Weiss began the 1996 paddling season by winning the Slalom Olympic Team
Trials, earning the No. 1 boat designation for men's kayak. He finished in
sixth place at the 1996 Olympic Games on the Ocoee River, bettering his
finish of 16th at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He was named
1996 U.S. Canoe and Kayak Team's Slalom Male Athlete of the Year.
Weiss become the first American to win a medal in men's kayak at a World
Championships when he won the silver on the Noce River in Mezzana, Italy, in
1993. He also made U.S. kayaking history with his third-place finish in the
overall World Cup standings in 1991, the highest finish ever for a American
men's kayaker at the time. He was the overall champion of the first-ever
Champion International Whitewater Series in 1990, a title he also claimed
in 1993.
On top of being an outstanding athlete, Weiss embodied the true meaning of
sportsmanship. In 1989 he was awarded the United States Olympic Committee's
Jack Kelly Fair Play Award, presented to an athlete, coach or official for an
outstanding act of fair play and sportsmanship. He received the award for
his handling of a controversial gate-touch penalty at the 1989 World
Championships which bumped him from second to fifth place, causing him to
miss the first-ever top-three finish by a U.S. men's kayaker.
"I am shocked and saddened at the death of Richie Weiss," said Bill
Endicott, Chairman of the National Whitewater Slalom Committee and 1992 Slalom
Olympic Team Coach. "He was one of this sport's greatest athletes and
role models. My heart goes out to his wife, Rosi. The memories of
our adventures together come welling up...he was so strong yet so calm,
decent and generous. Husband, expectant father, Ph.D., World
Silver Medalist, two-time Olympian...he was, in short, the best we
had to give. I will never get over his loss...but in time I hope
I can learn to live with it."
A memorial fund has been established for Rosi and their child. Contributions
may be made to the Richard Weiss Memorial Fund, Colorado Community First
National Bank, P.O. Box 2948, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477.