Colorado University Athletics
Richard Rokos, Buffs Pay Tribute To Ron LeMaster
December 08, 2021 | Skiing
BOULDER - The news hit like a ton of bricks. Ron LeMaster, legendary ski instructor, CU Ski Team alum, and renowned photographer, was killed in a collision at Eldora Ski Resort last Tuesday, Nov. 30.
LeMaster had been with the ski team earlier that morning, taking photos at one of the first days of training for the Buffs. At the end of the training, he decided to get a few more runs in.
"The news like lightning struck the entire ski world," Richard Rokos said. "Ron LeMaster passed away on 'Windmill' run at Eldora on Tuesday."
Rokos, CU's recently retired head ski coach and newly minted volunteer coach, was with the Buffs and LeMaster that Tuesday.
"We met to say goodbye in the parking lot, I got in the van and headed back to Boulder, and he went up to take a few runs," Rokos said.
LeMaster skied on the CU B Team under coach Bill Marolt. He then coached the B-Team in the late 1970s. He graduated from CU with degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science and also worked and taught in the Physics Department on campus.
Ron loved skiing and was one of our B-Team athletes who have made a big difference in the program over the years," Marolt said. "He made a huge contribution to the sport and he will be missed!"
He was renowned for his career in ski education. He wrote many guidebooks, including "The Skier's Edge" and "Ultimate Skiing." His contributions to ski racing are immeasurable and include working with the U.S. Ski Team and ski schools in Aspen and Vail along with CU.
Richard Rokos Tribute
"I know I'm late but it's difficult to collect the thoughts. Too many friends and memories. Something it's hard to admit can even happen.
"One of those rare, freak accidents without a witness. Two bodies on the hill, one with a blurry memory and one dead.
"Just moments before the accident we were making extensive plans for an alpine publication while Ron was taking photos of CU and Eldora skiers training on the lower mountain. That's something he did on his own, unsolicited, for most of his life.
"Ron was a very humble and quiet person, yet he produced amazing sequences of ski runs. His analysis was phenomenal and his technical expertise was superb. His ability to document with his photography and turn that into a learning opportunity for skiers of all ages was amazing.
"He would come to age-class training or a World Cup race. He would come to Eldora, right next to his home in Boulder, or go somewhere on the other side of the globe, where ever the action happened to be, to take his photos. It was just like that on Tuesday morning.
"He skied at CU. He taught in the physics department. His passion for the physical analysis of the ski turn was legendary. His lectures accompanied by power point presentations or video presentations were usually equipped with a stainless steel bowl and ball bearings.
"'Issac Newton was his advocate and his state-of-the-art camera a crown witness.'
"The ski world will miss Ron, the artist of the motion dissection. RIP."
LeMaster had been with the ski team earlier that morning, taking photos at one of the first days of training for the Buffs. At the end of the training, he decided to get a few more runs in.
"The news like lightning struck the entire ski world," Richard Rokos said. "Ron LeMaster passed away on 'Windmill' run at Eldora on Tuesday."
Rokos, CU's recently retired head ski coach and newly minted volunteer coach, was with the Buffs and LeMaster that Tuesday.
"We met to say goodbye in the parking lot, I got in the van and headed back to Boulder, and he went up to take a few runs," Rokos said.
LeMaster skied on the CU B Team under coach Bill Marolt. He then coached the B-Team in the late 1970s. He graduated from CU with degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science and also worked and taught in the Physics Department on campus.
Ron loved skiing and was one of our B-Team athletes who have made a big difference in the program over the years," Marolt said. "He made a huge contribution to the sport and he will be missed!"
He was renowned for his career in ski education. He wrote many guidebooks, including "The Skier's Edge" and "Ultimate Skiing." His contributions to ski racing are immeasurable and include working with the U.S. Ski Team and ski schools in Aspen and Vail along with CU.
Richard Rokos Tribute
"I know I'm late but it's difficult to collect the thoughts. Too many friends and memories. Something it's hard to admit can even happen.
"One of those rare, freak accidents without a witness. Two bodies on the hill, one with a blurry memory and one dead.
"Just moments before the accident we were making extensive plans for an alpine publication while Ron was taking photos of CU and Eldora skiers training on the lower mountain. That's something he did on his own, unsolicited, for most of his life.
"Ron was a very humble and quiet person, yet he produced amazing sequences of ski runs. His analysis was phenomenal and his technical expertise was superb. His ability to document with his photography and turn that into a learning opportunity for skiers of all ages was amazing.
"He would come to age-class training or a World Cup race. He would come to Eldora, right next to his home in Boulder, or go somewhere on the other side of the globe, where ever the action happened to be, to take his photos. It was just like that on Tuesday morning.
"He skied at CU. He taught in the physics department. His passion for the physical analysis of the ski turn was legendary. His lectures accompanied by power point presentations or video presentations were usually equipped with a stainless steel bowl and ball bearings.
"'Issac Newton was his advocate and his state-of-the-art camera a crown witness.'
"The ski world will miss Ron, the artist of the motion dissection. RIP."
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