Wilhelm A. Appeltofft
Passed Away
We are all saddened by this news.
From: Alan
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 4:22 PM
To: tsobell@inr.net
Subject: Sad news
I just received word that Wilhelm A. Appeltofft
passed away last night.
He was 97 years old, Wow!
I will forward more information as I receive it.
Thanks,
Alan Heinold [mailto:jbaleak@yahoo.com]
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Reprinted in part from "Tracings" Magazine, Late Summer 1983
"A IS FOR APPELTOFFT"
By Theodore G. Clarke
His is a familiar face in the rinks of the region – open friendly, smiling – almost cherubic under his green Tyrolean hat with its rings of medals. With his white hair, rimless glasses, sturdy shape now slightly rounded, Wilhelm "Bill" Appeltofft represents a benign, almost grandfatherly presence at tests and competitions all over New England, a skating territory he has covered for more than forty years. Bill Appeltofft is one of the most popular, approachable judges, so much so that he receives more phone calls and judges more tests than any judge in the Eastern U.S., probably more than any judge in the world. Last year he judged nearly 400 figure and free style tests along with countless dance tests and many competitions. Each year he logs about 40,000 miles, mostly to and from skating functions.
The smile and the friendliness are Bill’s way of keeping the faith with the sport he loves, a sport he enjoyed in his youth as a skater and competitor. His good humor and kidding of skaters are meant to put them at ease in what can be tense situations. Perhaps, though, the skaters perceive the genuine caring that is at the core of this person. Bill tends to like people, to see the best in them. Part of his enjoyment in all of the judging he does comes from the people it allows him to associate with: judges, skaters, club members.
Bill is a retired chemist who spent 50 year with Plymouth Rubber, then was a consultant for four more years. He most enjoys judging figures because of the analytical skills involved which match well with his science background.
Another love of his is bridge. He is close to being a Grand Master in that sport, and would be if he didn’t devote so much time to figure skating. He is president of the Kennebunkport Bridge Club and a member of the American Contract Bridge League. He has analyzed the similarities between bridge and skating, too.
"They’re both challenging, and, like fishing, once you catch the first fish, you’re the one who’s hooked."
Like figures, bridge has variety. "Every hand is different," and like figure skating you can be in it as deeply as you want. Bill has been in bridge for 50 years: "I play for blood," he admits. Among the top players whose blood he has drawn are an Italian champion and Americans like Gorin, Damon and Gerber. He now plays with a woman who is the highest ranked bridge player in the state of Maine.
You might suppose that skating and bridge between them would claim all of Bill’s time, but not so. He has built two houses, overhauls and repairs his own cars – big diesel Mercedes. The car with which he now tools the roads of New England has 163,000 miles on it. Its predecessor lasted for half a million miles.
Driving, you see, is no problem. Bill often leaves a test or competition at midnight and drives from places like Springfield or Burlington back to Maine. Then he’ll be at another session at 8 a.m. the day after. Once he gets over an initial sleepiness he can drive through the night. Weather doesn’t bother him either. These are all traits beneficial to a judge for whom driving and weather and staying away from home could be deterrents.
The Tyrolean hat that is seen so often is a gift from his daughter. His wife suggested that he save it for "best". But Bill reminded her that to him figure skating is the best, so he saves it for that.
Honesty is another of Bill’s traits. He is capable of being surprisingly frank, and he won’t back down from an argument. In all his years he says he’s never been challenged by a pro, skater, or parent, but he has defended his viewpoint with other judges. He did so recently at a judges' school when he clashed with an international judge and in a test session when he disagreed with a higher judge about the way a skater should be required to skate a test.
With his many miles and thousands of tests, Bill Appeltofft has seen most of what can be seen in a rink, and he manages to find the humor that helps him enjoy the sport. What was the funniest thing he ever saw?
It was at a North American Championship in Philadelphia many years ago. The judges were lined up on the ice about to raise their marks. One judge had a card in each hand and when his scores went up his pants fell down. There was nowhere to hide in that situation.
It usually takes a lot less than that to get Bill Appeltofft to smile. When you enjoy something as much as he does you tend to look happy and make others feel that way too. Maybe that’s why he’s the most active of our judges.
Shortly after this piece ran, Bill Appeltofft was honored by the New England Inter-Club Council at a dinner where he received a specially-made NEICC medal. Bill judged right up into his 97th year, and he remained basically the same. He was not only the most active judge, but one of the most loved.
Mary L. Clarke
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-----Original Message-----
From: Charles U. Foster [mailto:cufoster@verizon.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 6:06 PM
Subject: Wilhelm A. C. Appeltofft
Several people have asked if there is to be a memorial service for
Bill. I spoke to his wife today and it was his wish that there be no
service.
I spent 50 years judging with Bill; he was an original, that's for
sure! I always told him that he was my "hero." I hope to be as sharp
and active as he was for as long as he was. Really, everyone loved
Bill and he loved being with the kids. It certainly did keep him young.
I am sure that his wife would love to hear from you with any anecdote
that you may wish to share with her. Her address is: 8 Franklin
Street, unite 17, Marblehead, MA 01945.
Chuck Foster