https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/sports/dick-button-dead.html
2-time Olympic gold medalist; multiple World and National titles.
Inventor of the Flying Camel spin by pure accident; he was skating too close to a roped-off area of ice and leapt over it.
First man to land a triple jump in competition. First man to land a 2A in competition.
Emmy-winning broadcaster.
I read his delightful book, “Push Dick’s Button,” and learned so much. He seemed to have a very generous heart. A product of his times, he was also perhaps too paternalistic, especially to the female skaters. But overall, his contributions to the sport will endure. He is part of so many good memories of enjoying skating on TV when I was a kid.
Rest in peace, Mr. Button. What a sad day for figure skating, with the loss of so many young athletes, coaches and parents on the flight that crashed in the Potomac, and the loss of truly a pioneering GOAT.