CrossCuts


Dedicated to providing leadership, education and services to the ice sports industry.


IN MEMORY: BOB SKRAK ISI HEADQUARTERS


MANAGING DIRECTOR Liz Mangelsdorf


CONTROLLER Heather Loller


SKATING PROGRAMS & NATIONAL EVENTS DIRECTOR


Kim Hansen


OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jeff Anderson


ADVERTISING/TRADE SHOW DIRECTOR Carol Jackson


COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER/EDITOR Eileen Viglione


MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Sandey Carlsen


MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT Jennifer Carlsen Wendi Osterheldt Shirley Rothrock


ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Angela Tooley


Another pioneer of the American ice arena industry has been lost with the recent passing of ISIA Charter Member Robert (Bob) Skrak, 91.


Bob died at his home in Orinda, Calif., on Dec. 28. His colorful career in the ice skating business spanned six decades.


“Those who were lucky enough to know and work with Bob were for- tunate to have an open window into the early years of the American ice skating industry,” said former ISI Executive Director Peter Martell.


ISI OFFICERS


President .................................................Rob McBride 1st


2nd


Vice President ............Janice Teodoro-Forbes Vice President .....................................Lisa Fedick


Treasurer ......................................Kevin McCormack Secretary ...........................................Margy Bennett Immediate Past President ................Jim Hartnett Past President ...........................................Jim Lange Member at Large ......................................Gerry Lane Member at Large ..................................Scott McCoy Member at Large ................................Jane Schaber


DIRECTORS


District 1 ...........................................Alane Swiderski District 2 ...............................................Robyn Bentley District 3 ..........................................Tiesha DiMaggio District 4 ..........................Christine Wilson Brinton District 5 ...............................................Larry LaBorde District 6 ................................................Julie Goddard District 7 ..............................Cassandra MacDonald District 8 ..............................Vicky Klinko-Osseland District 9 ........................................Rachel Bruemmer District 10 ..............................................Jane Schaber District 11 ............................................Caroline Baker District 12 .................................................Debbie Lane District 13 ............................................................Vacant District 14 ...................................................Paige Scott District 15 ............................................Randy Winship District 16 ..............................................Cindy Solberg District 18 ....................................................Glyn Jones Builders & Suppliers ............................Doug Peters Instructors .............................................David Santee Commercial Facilities .........................Scott McCoy Public/Not-for-Profit Facilities .............Ed Peduto Schools/Colleges/Universities .Jamie Baringer PSA Representative ...............................Gerry Lane ISIAsia Representative ...............Harry Janto Leo PPIRMC Representative ...................Ryan Shaffer MIRMA Representative .....................Judy Sniffen Education Foundation .....................Don Bartelson Lifetime Honorary Member .........Carol Zdziebko


“Bob was one of the most pas- sionate people in this industry bar none,” said Jay Wescott, who retired as general manager of East- land Bay Iceland, Inc. in 2016. “I admired his energy and passion — I loved that guy! He and I met weekly and I like to think that I had a really great relationship with him … He loved his rinks; he would fight for them tooth and nail … He was the face of Eastbay Iceland for a long time and he saved Berkeley Iceland.”


“I had the privilege of succeeding Bob upon his retirement from East Bay Iceland,” added Burbank Ice Arena General Man-


Jim Hartnett


LENGTH OF SERVICE ON BOARD: 30 years


Vicki Klinko-Osseland


WORDS OF ADVICE: “Be open to anything and everything that might increase traffic and revenue in your rink and as a coach. Promote the skating and ice arena industry as a whole and not just a small niche of it!”


Jamie Baringer


FAVORITE PART ABOUT SERVING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: “Being around others who care enough to help make changes in the industry. People always want change, but it can be hard to find people who are willing to do some- thing about it. We have an amazing board, both past and present, that is willing to go the extra mile, all because of their passion for the industry.”


ager Ed Peduto. “His life story amazed me, especially his years performing in the Ice Capades while he drove the then-new Zamboni machine at intermis- sion. Bob took rinks that others had failed at running and made them


winners. I attended his induction ceremony into the NEISMA/Frank J. Zamboni Hall of Fame and his emo- tions were touching. He spent his life in, and committed to, ice rinks. Our lunches at Brennan’s in Berkeley will remain as fond memories for me. The ice rink industry has lost a multi- faceted founder; I have lost a dear friend.”


Bob and his wife, Joyce, attended the 2013 ISI Conference in Las Vegas, where he was presented the Legacy Award for his support and contribu- tions to the early development of ISI and the ice skating industry.


Bob received the first Arthur Good- fellow Award from then ISI Presi- dent Jim Hartnett at the 2006 ISI conference in Boston.


Early Years


Originally from Pittsburgh, Bob, along with friends and past industry icons Joe Setta and Willie Kall, was recruited by Pittsburgh Ice Arena Owner John Harris for his new touring show, Ice Cycles, which several years later was renamed Ice Capades.


Bob and Joyce toured the country skating in the show. Bob also served as operator and mechanic of Zam- boni No. 4, which was purchased by Ice Capades and used during their shows. (The machine is now on dis- play at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minn.)


While touring, he worked closely with Frank J. Zamboni on modifications and improvements to later model Zambonis. In 1954, he was the first person to drive a Zamboni machine and resurface the ice at an NHL game (a Bruins game at Boston Garden).


Following their show careers, Bob and Joyce settled in the California Bay Area, where he served as gen- eral manager for East Bay Iceland Inc., the parent company of the Iceland arenas in Berkeley, Belmont and Dublin, Calif.


In addition to Joyce, Bob’s survivors include one sister, five children and nine grandchildren.


IN MEMORY: JIM DAVIS


James (Jim) Davis, 85, died peace- fully on Jan. 9 surrounded by his wife and children at his home in Bakersfield, Calif.


Jim was an integral part of the Zamboni team for two decades, traveling extensively throughout the country, with special emphasis on the Midwest. He was involved in company management, product development and sales.


Born on Aug. 7, 1932 and raised in Long Beach, Calif., the first of three sons born to George and Teresa Davis, he graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in 1950, went on to Loyola University in Los Angeles and joined the Army in 1953. Jim received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach. Jim also worked for Western Gear in Lynwood, Calif., and Pacific Land Company in Cerritos, Calif.


Jim was a man that wore many hats, but most of all, he was a loving husband, father and a proud grandfather to 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.


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