Hans GERSCHWILER

Hans Gerschwiler

96, of Pinehurst, North Carolina
passed away peacefully on
September 27th surrounded by
his loving family.
   Born on June 20, 1921 near
Zurich, Switzerland to Johann
and Ida Rosa Gerschwiler. Hans
traveled to England where he
became a legendary figure
skater coached by his uncles
Jacque and Arnold.
   Hans won both the World Figure
Skating Championship and
European Figure Skating
Championship in 1947. In 1948,
he was a silver medalist behind
American icon Dick Button in
both the Olympics in St. Moritz,
Switzerland and the European
Championship. Not surprisingly,
respectful of each others' world
class talent, the two competitors
remained lifelong friends. It
would be 58 years until another
Swiss skater medaled at the
Olympics.
   Hans was considered one of the
best school skaters in the world
and directed his talent toward
teaching and training skaters in
Canada and the U.S. He began
his coaching career in
Schumacher, Canada where he
met his wife Nancy Jane Clarke
of Toronto.
   Hans is survived by his wife
Nancy of 64 years, along with
four children, Linda Sue Labbett
(Brian Labbett). Geoffery
Gerschwiler, Nancy Jill
Gerschwiler-Steck (Paul Steck),
Hans Peter Gerschwiler (Miriam
Garcia Gerschwiler). A son, David
Arnold predeceased him.
Grandfather to Nick Labbett,
Trishia Botting, Megan Farrell,
Julia Steck, Bradley Gerschwiler,
Brian Steck, Gabrielle
GERSCHWILER, Hans Anthony
Gerschwiler. Great-Grandfather
to Wesley and Ella Botting.
   He will be sadly missed.
   Funeral services will be private.
   Online condolences
may be made at
www.bolesfuneralhome.com