Walter Isaac BIETILA

Walter Bietila was one of five ski jumping brothers, all based in Ishpeming, Michigan. Bietila competed in two Winter Olympics and also made the 1940 Winter Olympic team. During World War II he had served with the Naval Air Force. Bietila later became a ski jumping coach and administrator. He was treasurer of the Central US Ski Association from 1948-51, and in 1960 coached the US Olympic ski jumpers. He also coached the US jumpers at the 1962 World Championships in Zakopane, Poland. Bietila was elected to the US Ski Hall of Fame in 1966.