Richard J. Somalski

Richard was born September 19, 1926. He eventually went on to found the Bay County Speedskating Club in Michigan in 1946 and actively coached and traveled with skaters throughout the state. One of his most vivid skating memories was putting the first pair of skates on seven year old Terry McDermott. He coached Terry until 1960 when he made his first Olympic team. Richard also served as the president of the Michigan Skating Association in 1964 and was a member of the USISA Board from 1968 to 1992, then was the treasurer from 1984 to 1992. Richard was inducted to the National Speedskating Hall of Fame on May 18, 1991 in Southgate, Michigan.

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