Gordon A. Robbins

Sculptor, fly fisherman, nationally ranked board sailor and snowboarder, and coach of Olympic medalists, Gordon A. Robbins of Winhall, VT died suddenly at home on Friday, February 27. Born in New York City on January 14, 1942, Robbins graduated from The Groton School and attended Cornell University. He subsequently moved to Paris where he studied architecture and art, becoming a prolific sculptor. He married artist and tapestry maker Claude Ohnenwald in 1965 and their works were jointly exhibited at Le Demeure in 1971.A skilled and enthusiastic sailor who was a longtime member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, in the 1980's Robbins made a name for himself in the board sailing community as a coach, competitor, and as director of the U.S. Boardsailing Association. After moving to Vermont in 1988, he was hired by Marty Harrison to introduce snowboarding to the Okemo Mountain Resort in 1993. At Okemo he thoroughly embraced this relatively new sport, becoming one of two first full-time snowboard instructors and subsequently the first Director of the Okemo snowboarding program, most recently serving as a supervisor in the Okemo Ski + Ride School.Mr. Robbins was a founding father of the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA), served as Executive Director of the International Snowboard Federation, Technical Director of the US Open of Snowboarding, and President of the USASA Foundation. He was a strong supporter of Adaptive Snowboarding and was revered by boarders of all ages and abilities.Mr. Robbins is survived by his wife of 49 years, Claude Ohnenwald Robbins, as well as by his brother Edward H. Robbins, uncle Edward H. Auchincloss, and a family of adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as students, colleagues and friends around the world. A celebration of his life and career will be held at the Okemo Mountain Main Base Lodge on Friday, March 13th from 7-9 pm. Donations in his name may be made to the USASA Foundation, www.usasa.org. A celebration of his life and career will be held at the Okemo Mountain Main Base Lodge on Friday, March 13th from 7-9 pm.