Pieter Kollen Obituary

Pieter and I grew up on the same street in Ann Arbor. We hung out a lot together. I remember Pieter for so many things including his sense of humor. I also hung out with his older brother, Mike and remember so many good times with him as well.

I am deeply saddened and am very sorry for all who he has touched. Pieter was a very kind and friendly person. He always had time to stop and talk with my wife and I when we walked our dogs. he was a regular guy and a good neighbor. he will be missed. God bless

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.Mr. Kollen was always very nice to us and always had a smile for us we miss him at the rink.

For the Kollen Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Pieter will always be remembered for his great sense of humer. I will always remember our training summers in Sun Valley Idaho. Those truly were the days when training was exciting and was always fun for skaters. Pieter made all the hard work on the ice fun. I remember our Sun Valley Saturday Night shows outside with the moon shining and live music playing and our skating in group numbers and just having fun. There was always a time for laughter and it never left him when he continued as a great coach and menter. I will miss seeing Pieter at all of the special events.

I was probably not more than 15 or 16 when we first became friends in Indianapolis. I remember seeing "The Sound of Music" with him at the Murat Shrine Theatre, and having him help trim our Christmas Tree. Above all I remember the wonderful friend he was to the family of Larry Pierce. We went through the trama of the plane crash together along with other friends in our skating world. He will always be a memory of happiness in my teenage years. I thank him for a lovely friendship.

Dear Kollen Family,
The skating world has truly lost one of its greats. Pieter was an amazing individual, so full of knowledge, kindness and encouragement. I met him through the numerous PSA Conferences and always came away with information to take home that I could use in my coaching. His presence will be missed. My deepest thoughts and condolences to you all.

Lots of Memories--miss you.

Dear Bonnie and Family,
I was shocked to hear of Piet's untimely death. He was such a vibrant, talented man! Piet entered my life at a particularly critical time...in many ways, he saved me. I will never forget him or the profound impact he had on my life. My thoughts are with you.

My Dear Bonnie and Family, Pieter was the first USFSA coach my daughter Ralynn was fortunate to work with. It was at the USAFA about 23 years ago when Pieter found her doing an axel he just didn't like the looks of. We had just left Texas so Ralynn could train in a cooler climate and Pieter worked with her that day and was forever after her coach. He did such a good job that she later becaue a professional on tour and then back to Houston to teach others what she learned from Pieter and became a well know coach and choreographer, all while putting herself through college and medical school. It makes me sad to have to tell you this, but Ralynn was killed by a drunk driver in Houston on September 27th 2006. Ralynn saw Pieter through the years at competitions with her own students and they reminissed. I will never forget Pieter and our many conversations and his ability to encourage Ralynn to jump higher and further than anyone else in his jump classes for the reward of an ice cream cone, Because of Pieter's training Ralynn was able to be an experienced coach using his methods of jump training. The Kollen axel and double sow were not to be challenged. He will never be forgotten by our family. Lots and lots of happy memories and a few pictures, My prayers are with you all and from my own experience at the loss of my precious Ralynn, you just take one day at a time and be around friends and family. May our precious Lord give you all the strength, love and peace you will need through the days, months and years.God Bless You! Sondra Healy

Dear Kollen family,,

I am so sorry for your loss. Peter will be so missed by all. My sincere sympathy to you all.

Tracey Poletis

Dear Bonnie and kids, I am so sad about Pieter. I have wonderful memories of him from the early 1960's to now. I know you are so proud of him, as he contributed so much to so many people's lives, this was a true gift he had! All my love and thoughts to you, Barbara Roles Williams

Dear Kollen Family,
Pieter introduced me to "power skating" at the Memorial (Seritch) Ice Arena in the 80's. I will contintue to tell the story of how he made us all put on hockey skates for power class when we were feeling a bit sorry for our selves. We worked so hard the rest of the summer because we didn't want to do that again. Pieter always had a great way of dealing with a problem, and I will miss seeing him at local compititions. My condolences to you.

Hi! Bonnie,
You have my heart-felt condolences on the untimely passing of Pieter..You may not remember it but you took my son into your home when he was down there working with Pieter..You were very gracious and he still talks about the time he spent there.. I will always be grateful for the kindness you and Pieter showed him.. There was not one time that I saw that Pieter would not have time to share his expertise and wonderful knowledge with other people no matter how busy he was..He was not only and excellent coach, but a wonderful person. His lost will be sadly missed, my prayer's are with you..Gene, Jason and the rest of the Heffron family..

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Pieter. He will certainly be missed and my thoughts go out to his family.

Dear Kollen Family,
I am sorry for your loss as Pieter was an incredible man. Each time I had the good fortune to hear Pieter speak at PSA events, I always left with new inspiration and information. He had such an amazing energy about him; he will be missed by many.

I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity of being on the ice (and in the rink, for that matter) with Pieter. It was in the early 80's Hockey Powerskating at Memorial Park (now Sertich) Ice Center. I don't have the right words to describe it but, everyone thats reads this that was ever on the ice with him will know what I mean. I remember his voice and how excited he made me feel about every drill we were doing, regardless of how many times we had done it, especially "chop-chop!" I don't recall how old I was when they moved away but, I remember when he said goodbye. I remember saying "see ya later Coach" I was still young enough to not comprehend that he was saying goodbye because he wouldn't be there anymore. I always wished I had. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to say "Goodbye, Pieter. Thank you so very much. For everything."

Dearest Bonnie and kids, it was only 46 years ago in Lake Placid that I had the pleasure of meeting and training with Pete. I could hardly wait every saturday night when he skated to "exodus" in hockey skates while doing double axels , etc. Pieter was always an inspiration to all of us and we always enjoyed his zest for life, comedic nature and true love for all around him. I, for one will miss him terribly as I know most of the skating world will.Bonnie, my love and wishes are with you and the kids during this trying time. God bless and stay strong as pete would want. take care always, gordie mckellen

My very deepest sympathy to you.

Dear Kollen Family,
I am saddend to hear the news. Pieter was such and energetic coach and I will always remember how he would push me in power class to be a better skater! He will surely be missed by all of the figure skating world. My prayers are with all of you.

Dear Kollen Family,
Words cannot express the saddess of hearing the passing of a wonderful man. Mr. Kollen was on my first panel when taking my PSA exams. His wealth of knowledge and giving to our sport will be missed.
Life is precious and I'm thankful that our paths have crossed. Mr. Kollen will be missed.

You and your family will be in our prayers.

My deepest sympathies,
Michele Miranda Phaler

Dear Kollen Family,
My pairs partner, Ralynn Healy, and I trained with Pieter at the Sertich Memorial Ice Rink in Colorado Springs. I remember Pieter for his kindness, sincerity, and good humor. Although Ralynn died in September of last year, she would have been deeply saddened to hear of Pieter's passing. I know she held Pieter in great esteem and affection. The skating world needs more people of Pieter's character and compassion. Our prayers are with your family.

Dear Bonnie,
After nearly giving up on teaching I was lucky enough to meet Pieter. Because of his great knowledge, zest for life and love of Skating my own was rekindled. He will long be remembered as someone who has truly made a difference. Not only as an excellent Coach but as a wonderful person as well. LKS touched so many with seemingly effortless good humor, care and enthusiasm there are few that compare and none that can replace. Exceptional in every way.

Dear Kollen Family,
I will always smile when I think of Mr. Kollen. He was a great mentor and an incredible motivator. He brought so much to this sport as well as to this world. God Bless you all and you will remain in my prayers.

Dear Mrs. Kollen, Craig & Christie-
Mr. Kollen was truly a remarkable man. I will always treasure not only the time I was lucky enough to spend with him as a student, but also with you all as a family. I so enjoyed seeing Mr. Kollen at competitions to talk about old times. He will be truly missed. I am so sorry for your loss.

My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.

Dear Kollen Family,

I only knew Pieter for the last 14 years through the USFS training camps and competitions. I always enjoyed chatting with him and picking his brain for more information. I am saddended by his death, and I and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Kollen Family,

As I sit here and write this the tears come. But I have so many memories of Mr. Kollen. The smiles and the laughs that he gave me. The funny and crazy stories he would tell me about the lake. That would get us both laughing.

Mr. Kollen was a great coach, my friend, and my mentor. Mr. Kollen will truly be missed by me and everyone in the skating world. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Mr. Kollen's memeries will always be a part of me and a part of the skating world.

My deepest sympathies

Candace M. Kuk-LaFerle

Bonnie,

I already wrote to you but wanted to participate in this as well. After reading through the entries, I see that my feelings about Pieter are shared by many, which I knew from our experiences together at skating competitions. I have many wonderful memories of Pieter from my whole life, my skating life as a child and my professional life as an adult. He was always there for any skating need. He was also a great person to emulate in life with his devotion to family and all the good things. I will miss him a great deal and I will think of him often.

Ann (Fissinger) Manning

Pieter was a wonderful person. I grew up skating at the Broadmoor and remember skating in so many Ice Revues and Pops On Ice shows. Being in the dance number he did each year was such great fun. It is a blessing to have known him. My condolences to the family.

I'll never forget how wonderfully helpful Pieter was to me when I attended one of the Sport Science Camps in Colorado. I had a skater who was struggling with a jump and Pieter spent a long time with us going over what he thought would help us. I was so impressed with his kindness and caring. I will never forget his genuine love for the sport. Pieter was a very dignified and classy man who loved what he did and he wasn't shy about sharing his knowledge with others. We've lost a wonderful person in our sport and I will miss him greatly.
Debi Leeming

Dear Kollen Family,
We will all miss Peter and his unbelievable depth of knowledge for our sport. He will always be remembered and loved.
Suzy Semanick-Schurman

Dear Bonnie and Family--It is with the fondest memories, smiles and laughter that I remember Pieter (LKS). It hardly seems like 45 years have past since I first met Pieter in Lake Placid in the summer. Pieter always had a warm greeting, kind word and encouragement to all, be they skater, coach or judge throughout his life. I think of him often, and each time, he brings a smile to my face, and warmth to my heart. May his wonderful personality, kindness and professionalism in skating and in life bring good memories to all that had the priviledge of knowing him.

Dear Bonnie, Craig and Christy,

It was with great shock that I learned of Pieter's passing.
You were such great neighbors across the hall in Colorado Springs, and fantastic hosts for the Indy 500 when Mom and I were lucky enough to attend.
Pieter was always a positive and energetic force who embraced his family and profession with great passion. It was an honor to know Pieter and he will be missed.
Sincerely,
Juli Hosking (McKinstry)

Dear Kollen family, including Michael,

I grew up with Pieter in Ann Arbor. He lived two blocks from me - and across the street from our neighborhood's sandlot baseball field. All the kids, including the few girls like me, could play. My brother and I also played at Pieter's house quite a bit. We went separate ways after 6th grade, but we went to the AAHS junior prom together, and by that point it was clear that he was going to be a world-class skater. My mom love Pieter and Mike dearly and looked forward every year to Pete's knocking on our door Christmas mornings to check out the loot situation! How sad that he died so young, but how great that he had such a huge impact on the world of skating while he was alive.

All best to you all,

Joyce Hartweg Mannis

Dearest Bonnie, Craig and Christy:

I already miss the man with the quick wit, the great sense of humor and my one and only master when it came time to cut Michael's and my Olympic program. Pete and I always had a good chuckle over our unrecognizable 18 cuts! He lives on in my heart and soul. Thanks for sharing him with us.

Love,

Judy Blumberg

Dear Kollen Family,
I am sorry to hear of your and the skaing world's loss.
My prayers are with you.

Best,

Sharon Carz

Dear Bonnie, Craig and Christy,
Words cannot describe the loss I feel of my dear friend, coach and mentor. I was so happy to see Piete at the PSA this year and I always looked forward to our visits. Michael and I will always be grateful for being part of your family while we were in Colorado Springs. Piete shaped my life as an adult and skating professional and he will always be remembered through the lives he touched.
Love,
Sherri Simm-Terando and family
Michael Kern

My sister, Patricia and I spent many summer in Colo.Springs with Carlo Fassi when Pieter was there summer skating with his students. We took Dance lessons from him and got to know him well from then thru my professional skating associations with him to today. His personality and contributions to skating as it is today and its contnuation into the future will be his legacy. Pieter will be greatly missed.

Dear Kollen Family,

I was priviledged with the opportunity to be coached by Mr. Kollen at the I/WSA summer camp in June. Although, I only had two lessons with him, he was kind, fun and left me wanting to skate with him every summer. I am so sorry for your loss.

Katie Lamb 11 yrs
Nashville, TN
Music City Figure Skating Club

Pieter was such a nice man. During my time apprenticing at I/WSA, Pieter was always so friendly and encouraging - I will always remember his wonderful smile and sense of humor. The skating world has certainly lost a great coach and human being. His spirit will live on through the lives of the skaters and coaches he has touched over the years.

Dear Bonnnie

I had the absolute honor and privilege of being among Pieter's many, many friends in Colorado Springs. He was nothing but a humble, down to earth man who genuinely made you proud to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we all feel such a heaviness in our hearts.

Bonnie, Craig, and Chris...
I just learned of Pieter's passing yesterday and am so sad. My memories of him are all so wonderful. I remember the early morning drives to the rink in his red Prelude and the wonderful lessons he taught me on and off the ice. Your whole family is in my prayers. He was a wonderful coach and man.

Bonnie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Lisa-Marie Allen

I just received the news of Pieter's passing and am truly saddened. My memories of Pieter stem from his time teaching at the Cleveland Skating Club. After a bad fall on a lift with my pair partner, Pieter was the only person I ever trusted to do that lift with. I remember so many fun times in our ice show, most particularly when he played Bert in Mary Poppins, a part that suited him perfectly!

Bonnie - I have many fond memories of you on the ice as well in Cleveland. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I just received the news of Pieter's passing and am truly saddened. My memories of Pieter stem from his time teaching at the Cleveland Skating Club. After a bad fall on a lift with my pair partner, Pieter was the only person I ever trusted to do that lift with. I remember so many fun times in our ice show, most particularly when he played Bert in Mary Poppins, a part that suited him perfectly!

Bonnie - I have many fond memories of you on the ice as well in Cleveland. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Dear Bonnie,

I will always remember Pieter as being one of the most welcoming people in the world of ice skating. He was always very kind to me and supportive of both my skating and coaching. My thoughts are with you and your family. Pieter will be missed.

Pieter and I grew up together on Lenawee Drive and I remember fantastic times with Pieter and Mike from sandlot sports to telling jokes to just plain fooling around. I have lost touch with both Peter and Mike, but the loss is still huge. I can imagine what a fine husband, father and grand father he has been.

Dear Bonnie,

It has been several years since I worked with Pieter here in Colorado Springs. However, I will always remember his wit, charm and friendship. He taught me so much... and I will fondly remember the time we spent together.

My prayers are with you and your family.

I grew up with Pieter in Ann Arbor, Michigan beginning with nursery school. He was always fun to be with, and I enjoyed his sense of humor. I am so very sorry that he died so young. I hope that he did not have a long illness.

News travels fast in this skating world. We learned yesterday of Pieter's death. What a shock and a great loss to your family and the skating world.

We remember Pieter from our first trip to Midwesterns in Denver in 1959! We all rode the train together out of Chicago. We were with him at the PSGA conference at the Wagon Wheel (who knows what year that was -- early 60s) where the parrot kept saying "Well, well," while we were trying to have a meeting in the lobby.

We got to know Pieter even better when he taught here in Cleveland.

Chuck took lessons from Pieter in Lake Placid on how to teach back loops -- figures, of course!

So many memories. So many memories. We will remember him always.

Our deepest sympathies.

Chuck and Claire Rossbach