Todd Andrew Kaufman
July 31, 1956-January 1, 1991
Born in Montgomery, Ohio, Todd Kaufman started skating at the age of six at the Figure Skating Club of Cincinnati. Coached by Lee Jewell, he was the silver medallist in the intermediate men's event at the 1973 Eastern Great Lakes Championships in Columbus. As a professional, he toured with Holiday On Ice, acting as Tim Wood's understudy. He passed away on January 1, 1991 at the age of thirty-four.
Todd's obituary from "Skating" magazine: "Todd Andrew Kaufman died after battling a long illness. Born 34 years ago in Dayton, Ohio, he spent the last 12 years in San Diego. Kaufman was involved in figure skating for many years; first as an amateur competitor, then as a professional skater with Holiday on Ice. He leaves behind many loved ones and acquaintances through his years of travels and experiences. Kaufman is survived by his mother Gloria, father Ralph, sisters Alix Barnett and Hilary Papke, and brothers Paul and Douglas, their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews."
Memories from Todd's sister Alix: "We had a bond from the start. My beautiful, handsome, talented brother Todd Kaufman... I remember that Todd was angry, very angry. He loved life and it was slowly being taken away from him. Nothing worked. He tried everything that was out at the time but nothing worked. Slowly, my brother's eyesight was going but that didn't keep him from driving around the hills of San Diego with one eye closed. Todd was a talented figure skater and spent time skating in Holiday on Ice and he then decided to become a coach. My brother was loved by everyone - his students, peers and everyone in his circle. He made you feel loved and made you laugh. I miss my brother everyday and I wanted him here selfishly for my own children. He would have been an amazing uncle. I tell them stories so they can picture him in their lives."
*Source for inclusion: "On Edge: Backroom Dealing, Cocktail Scheming, Triple Axels, And How Top Skaters Get Screwed", Jon Jackson, 2006
