From collection Person List
Gretchen Kunigk Fraser was born on February 11, 1919, in Tacoma, Washington, and died on February 17, 1994. Fraser first began skiing at age 13 and later became a student of famed teacher Otto Lang. In college at the University of Puget Sound, she was a star of the ski team.
At the 1948 Winter Olympics, Fraser won gold and silver medals, the first American to do so in skiing. Later, she coached the women’s 1952 Winter Olympic team. Due to her excellence in the sport, Fraser was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1960.
Following her retirement from skiing, Fraser led an interesting and generous life. She became a nurse and a pilot. Gretchen can be remembered for her dedication to people with disabilities. She was a founding member of the Oregon Institute for Rehabilitation and also began the Flying Outriggers Ski Club, the first adaptive ski club in America.
At the 1948 Winter Olympics, Fraser won gold and silver medals, the first American to do so in skiing. Later, she coached the women’s 1952 Winter Olympic team. Due to her excellence in the sport, Fraser was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1960.
Following her retirement from skiing, Fraser led an interesting and generous life. She became a nurse and a pilot. Gretchen can be remembered for her dedication to people with disabilities. She was a founding member of the Oregon Institute for Rehabilitation and also began the Flying Outriggers Ski Club, the first adaptive ski club in America.
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