Ski jumper, coach, FIS judge, downhill instructor, friend to the sport and its people

On a Sunday afternoon in November 2003, his family and a large group of friends gathered at the Norge Ski Club's beautiful chalet in Fox River Grove, IL, to say goodbye and to share remembrances of Bobby Immens, a man whom none of them will ever forget. Memories and memorabilia were everywhere. A few tears trickled, but a lot of laughter flowed, and filled the room for three hours before a brief memorial service was held. More memories and laughter followed. The term "celebration of his life" is a very accurate and appropriate description of this day at Norge.

Known as Bob, Bobby, and Red, this little guy with the shock of white hair, white beard, twinkling eyes, and ready smile, had about as full a life as one could possibly imagine. He was born in the U.S., but his family spent a number of years in his mother's native Norway as he was growing up. He learned to ski early, and it became the passion of a lifetime.

Back when Bob started skiing, the sport centered on jumping. He jumped for the Norge Ski Club for 35 years, retiring his jumping skis in 1970. He then became an FIS judge, serving until 2002 in that capacity at countless tournaments. He was a distance marker at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, and again at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

After he concluded his jumping career, he continued to be actively involved in the sport as a downhill instructor at such places as Fox Trails, Wilmot Mountain, and Ski Brule. It's likely that this gregarious man met most of the folks who ever skied at one of those areas. The last few years, he lived in Ramsay, MI, close by Indianhead, Powderhorn, and Blackjack. He was skiing 70-80 days per year, most recently as an emeritus instructor and "hill ambassador" at Blackjack.

During the summer, he served as the upper lift terminal operator at Copper Peak, enjoying the opportunity to converse with visitors, who were equally delighted to speak with a "real ski jumper" who could tell them about the sport from personal experience. He was looking forward to the winter of 2004, but his plans were cut short by a cerebral hemorrhage in September 2003. He had good days and bad, but couldn't make it to see the first snow of a new season. The picture at right shows Bob at the upper terminal of the Copper Peak lift in the fall of 2002; it was taken by Alvin Liikanen.

Bob was a WWII veteran, having served in the Air Force from 1944 through 1946. He'd enlisted shortly after graduating from high school in 1944.

It came as a surprise to many to see, among the photos, articles, trophies, and letters, a diploma from Monroe College stating that Robert H Immens had been granted the degree of Doctor of Optometry. Early on he'd decided he didn't want to be "cooped in an office" and chose instead to become a carpenter, like his father! This was certainly a man who found and followed his passion ... and that word kept coming up repeatedly among those gathered to bid him farewell.

There were pictures of Bob handing a ski to Mayor Richard Daley as part of a promotion for a 1954 summer ski tournament held in Soldier Field (they covered the temporary jump with shaved ice). There was another photo of him with Col. Chuck Yeager.

It would be a mistake, though, to think of Bob's impact as being the rubbing of shoulders with famous people. It was apparent throughout the memorial gathering that his legacy was built on the encouragement and coaching of beginners, the ability to convey enthusiasm and build confidence in others, his willingness to pick a kid up after a spill, wipe his (or her) nose, pat his head, and get him to try again.

People like Bob tend to live on through memories, stories, and friendships. He was unique, and he will be remembered!

The picture at left shows Bob (left) and relative youngster Don West (originally of Madison, now living in upstate New York) at the Masters National Championships in Iola WI, 2003. Don is one of the oldest active Masters-class jumpers, still at it in his late sixties. Bob was 77 on this picture, taken by Carol Keck of Oconomowoc, WI. Click the image to see it in a larger size. (opens in a new window)

Personal note from webmaster:

My own interest in the sport developed early, having grown up in Norway, Michigan, a small town near Iron Mountain. I must have seen my first tournament there about 1950, and as a kid I'd always climb up the side of the landing, where I could closely watch the skiers in flight, and also to watch 'em and maybe chat with some of 'em as they walked back up the stairs. I can remember Bob Immens as always being there, always seeming to be having the time of his life, and always being willing to chat with the "knothole gang" along the stairway. The big-name jumpers came and went, but Bob Immens was a constant presence.

Later, after my college years, I gravitated toward downhill, and eventually became a professional ski instructor at Pine Mountain (downhill area next to the big jump) in 1970, about the time Bob retired from jumping. He continued to come up for the tournament each year, and would always come over to the lodge, and join a group instructors and patrollers in the chalet to laugh and swap lies. His visits were always happily anticipated.

I didn't get to know Bob well back then, and hadn't seen him from the mid 1970s until 2002, when he and I both were elected to the board of directors at Copper Peak. During the summer and early fall of 2002, I had the occasion to get to know him better, and it was like "connecting the dots" with someone I had "almost" known for a very long time. It was a privilege and a pleasure to visit with him informally, observe him in the formal setting of board meetings, and to chat at length by phone a number of times. One of our frequent topics of conversation was about the value of preserving the history of the sport.

My final visit with Bob came at the Pine Mountain Continental Cup weekend in February 2003. It was so cold and windy that jumping was impossible. Bob arrived with friends Rick and Cathie Bergquist late Sunday morning. Since there was no action on the hill, it was a day for visiting old friends. I had the privilege of just tagging along with Bob as he worked his way through the crowd of people clustered around bonfires, hoping for an improvement in the weather. He found dozens of old friends to chat with, introducing me to those whom I didn't already know, and having animated conversations with all of 'em. (photographer unknown; click image for larger view in a new window)

After Saturday's meet was cancelled, and it was apparent that Sunday's meet was unlikely to be held, I had contemplated leaving early to return to the Twin Cities. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable days I've ever had at a ski tournament. In retrospect, it was a "full circle" experience for me. I spent that day with this guy, one of 'em who I'd identify as having helped create in me a passion for ski jumping, visiting with many of the skiers who had also been competitors back in those days, and meeting some I hadn't previously known. Memorable, remarkable, and delightful. I knew I had to be at his memorial service, and was honored to be asked to say a few words. What you've read here is what I hope I was able to convey.

I hope that others who knew Bob will find reminders here, and that those who never met him will come to see what kind of a life you can have if you find and follow a passion. The history, the record of people and their accomplishments, was important to Bob. His home was a virtual museum of this wonderful sport, and he delighted in welcoming visitors and making his experiences come alive for them. I'm pleased to keep a bit of this alive in Bob's memory.

Ken Anderson,   Webmaster,   December 2003

 
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