Grieving, lifelong friends offer fond memories of Mt. Bachelor skier killed in recent fall
79-year-old was 'very advanced skier,' set NCAA track record in 1965
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 79-year-old experienced skier from San Diego died last week after falling on the Wanoga Run at Mt. Bachelor, and two lifelong friends are sharing memories about his life and their long friendships.
“A lifelong friend of mine died this morning while skiing Wanoga from Cloudchaser,” Bend resident Bill Perkins said in a posting last Wednesday to the Mt. Bachelor Conditions Facebook page. He later confirmed to NewsChannel 21 that family members had been notified of the passing of the skier, whom he identified as Larry Godfrey.
Kelsey McGee is speaking with Perkins Thursday to learn more about Godfrey and what happened on the mountain, as well as the life he led. She also is talking with a former teammate to learn more about Godfrey's life, on and off the track. Her report will be on NewsChannel 21 at Five.
“He was a very advanced skier,” Perkins wrote on the initial Facebook posting. “The physician believes he had a traumatic event that broke his neck, which resulted in his death due to his inability to breathe. If you witnessed his collision, please let me know.”
Resort spokeswoman Stacey Hutchinson provided a statement: ““This morning, a 79-year old male wearing a helmet fell on the Wanoga run at Mt. Bachelor. Ski patrol responded promptly, care was transferred to Bend Fire, and he passed away at St. Charles. Our entire team is deeply saddened and sends our sincerest condolences to the family.”
She confirmed he was flown by air ambulance to the hospital.
Perkins, who met Godfrey when both were freshmen at San Diego State, told NewsChannel 21 that he was coming up the lift and that Godfrey “already skied down with two other friends. He’s a really good skier, rarely falls on his own.”
“Mt. Bachelor couldn’t have been better,” he said. “From the physician’s report, he was gone when they got up to him, based on the examination, the CT scans.”
As for the resort’s response, Perkins said: “Sensitivity, professionalism – I expect nothing less. I love Mt. Bachelor. It had nothing to do with our wonderful mountain.”
Perkins said Godfrey was an NCAA champion hurdler and “quite a guy.”
Indeed, a San Diego State website says Godfrey was NCAA champion in the 440 intermediate hurdles, running a time of 51.5 seconds in 1965.
