PARK CITY, UT (July 16) – U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association officials mourned the loss of one of the Olympic sports organization’s longtime leaders. Nantucket, MA native Whiting “Whitey” Willauer passed away July 13 at the age of 81. A board member and trustee of the USSA for nearly 40 years, Willauer served as its president as well as on the U.S. Olympic Committee board. He served as the Assistant Chef de Mission for the USA’s 1992 Albertville Olympic Winter Games Team and was U.S. Chef de Mission for the 1994 Paralympics in Lillehammer. He was recognized by the USSA in 1988 with its Julius Blegen Award.
HIGHLIGHTS
Former USSA President Whiting “Whitey” Willauer passed away July 13 at the age of 81.
President of the USSA from 1982-87
Representative to U.S. Olympic Committee board from 1987-94
Instrumental in the USSA’s pioneering efforts in freestyle skiing and adaptive skiing
USA Chef de Mission, 1990 Pan American Winter Games, Las Lenas, Argentina
Assistant USA Chef de Mission, 1992 Olympic Winter Games, Albertville, France
USA Chef de Mission, 1994 Paralympic Winter Games, Lillehammer, Norway
1988, USSA Julius Blegen Award (highest organizational honor)
1998, USSA Bud and Mary Little Award (service to USOC and FIS)
Diverse career as an aeronautical engineer and strategic planner working in the private sector with the U.S. military for many decades.
After retirement from TRW’s military and aerospace division, he moved back to Nantucket where he was active in the local community.
Services have been scheduled for 11 a.m. at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Nantucket on Friday, July 20 with a reception to follow at the Nantucket Yacht club.
He is survived by his sister Sally Nash and his sons Whiting, Jr. (Skip) and Will.
QUOTES Bill Marolt, USSA President and CEO Whitey was an amazing individual who kindly gave his time and knowledge to help our athletes. He provided strong leadership for the USSA, and later the USOC, at a pivotal time in our organization’s history. Our athletes are fortunate to have the support of individuals like Whitey.
