Douglas Brian Berndt
September 10, 1949-February 2, 1995
Born in Denver, Colorado, Douglas Berndt competed in his first U.S. Championships at the age of fifteen. He won the bronze medal in the novice men's event at the 1966 U.S. Championships and the silver medal in the junior men's event at the 1969 U.S. Championships. Teaming up with Barbara Brown, he made history as one of the first pairs in the world to do side-by-side double Lutz jumps. Doug and Barbara won a pair of bronze medals in senior pairs at the U.S. Championships and represented America at two World Championships and the 1972 Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan. Their best finish internationally was fourth at the 1971 North American Championships in Peterborough. Douglas went on tour with Holiday On Ice. He passed away on February 1, 1995 at the age of forty-five.
Barbara Brown, Douglas Berndt and Janet Lynn
Douglas' obituary from "Skating" magazine: "Douglas Brian Berndt, 45, former singles and pairs competitor, died on Feb. 1 in Denver, Colo. During his competitive career, Berndt represented the Denver FSC and was coached by Norma and Wally Sahlin. He placed third in Novice Men at the 1966 U.S. Championships and second in Junior Men in the 1969 U.S. Championships. With pairs partner Barbara Brown, Berndt placed third in Junior Pairs in the 1969 U.S. Championships and won the U.S. Junior Pair title in 1970. The couple placed third in Senior Pairs in both the 1971 and 1972 U.S. Championships. They represented the United States in the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, where they finished 12th; and the 1971 and 1972 World Championships. He served in the U.S. Army and skated six years, including a stint as the starring soloist, with the professional touring company 'Holiday On Ice.' He was a flight attendant with United Airlines for 14 years and was United's Flight Attendant of the Year for 1988."
Photo courtesy United States Olympic Committee
Barbara Brown's memories of Douglas: "Doug lost his father in his early teens and was devoted to helping his mother. Doug and I both started in classes at the Denver University Arena. We both took singles from Wally Sahlin, for me directly out of the class program. Doug had Wally for his single skating as far as I can recall. We both took from his wife, Norma Sahlin for pair skating. It was and still is unusual for a skater to start skating with the same coaches and make it all the way to the Olympics.
We did win the Junior Pair Championship in 1970. Our first international event was the Kennedy Games in Lake Placid in 1970 and placed fourth. We had to skate up to the senior level to participate. After two years skating with Holiday on Ice International, Doug continued with Holiday and skated with Patricia Leary. He also skated as one of Peggy Fleming's background skaters in Las Vegas. I know the taught a little with Norma and Wally after traveling with shows. Doug was always a go-getter and had a magnetic personality."
