Skippy Baxter

Lloyd Valdemar "Skippy" Baxter (December 6, 1919 – December 18, 2012)[1][2] was an American figure skater. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, his family moved to Oakland, California when he was 1 year of age.[3] Skippy started his skating career as a speed skater. Often winning awards as a youth Speed skater in Oakland, California. Then later, he won two medals at the 1940 United States Figure Skating Championships: a bronze in men's singles and a silver in pair skating with Hedy Stenuf. Baxter went on to skate professionally with the Ice Capades, working with Sonja Henie in her shows.

For the American football player, see Lloyd Baxter.
Skippy Baxter
Full nameLloyd Valdemar Baxter
BornLloyd Valdemar Baxter
(1919-12-06)December 6, 1919
Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedDecember 18, 2012(2012-12-18) (aged 93)
United States
Figure skating career
Country United States

Skippy and his brother Meryl Baxter owned an ice rink in Santa Rosa, California on Summerfield Road, where the famous cartoonist Charles Schulz would take his family for skating lessons. It was there that Charles and Skippy Baxter formed a close friendship that lasted until the death of Charles Schulz. Baxter choreographed a segment for the 1969 animated film A Boy Named Charlie Brown, in which Snoopy skates.

He later coached figure skating in Northern California at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, California. Charles Schulz built the rink while Skippy and his brother Meryl Baxter helped run and operate the rink.[4] Skippy was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2003.[5]

Results

(men's singles)

Event 1940
U.S. Championships3rd

(pairs with Stenuf)

Event 1940
U.S. Championships2nd

Early life

Lloyd Baxter, having endured an accident as a youth with a tractor, which almost resulted in a leg amputation, began skating at the urging of his mother to strengthen his leg to avoid amputation. In turn, began his career as a champion youth speed skater.

Baxter enlisted in the United States army in 1943 and served in Northern Italy during World War II with the 10th Mountain Division, along with his brother Meryl Baxter. They were granted leave on weekends to continue performing in Ice Shows. Baxter was on the United States Olympic Figure Skating team, but because of the war and his enlistment, the Winter Olympics were cancelled that year.

References
  1. "World class skater, gracious instructor Skippy Baxter dies at 93". pressdemocrat.com. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  2. "Skates to Rebuild Leg, Baxter Now Ice Star". The Milwaukee Journal. September 21, 1942. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  3. "U.S. HALL OF FAME PRESENTS CLASS OF 2003". usfigureskating.org. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. Smith, Chris (November 23, 2009). "Skippy Baxter still skating 80 years on". The Press Democrat. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
  5. "U.S. Hall of Fame Presents Class of 2003". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 14 February 2010.


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