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Bob was born in Las Vegas, N.M. and grew up in Albuquerque, where his father ran the Charles Ilfeld Co., the city’s largest dry goods and grocery store. He learned to ski while attending Yale, and after graduating from the Yale Law School, became one of the founders of the Albuquerque Ski Club. He enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard in 1940, attended OCS, and was among the first members of the 10th Mountain Division. At war’s end he was a lieutenant colonel in the Division. Following the war he skied in Switzerland, returning to Albuquerque determined to bring lifts and trams to New Mexico.

In 1946, Bob reopened the old Santa Fe Ski Basin, with two rope tows. Later, with Ben Abruzzo and Buzz Bainbridge, he founded what became Sandia Ski Area, and built the Sandia Tramway.

As a lawyer, Bob specialized in representing Native American nations, and at one time or another counted about 40 tribes as clients. He won important water-rights and land-rights cases for them.

Bob skied at Sandia Peak until his 90th year, and remained active on its board of directors to 95.

JOURNAL OF ISHA, THE INTERNATIONAL SKIING HISTORY ASSOCIATION
The International Skiing History Association is a not-for-profit corporation, whose mission is to preserve and advance the knowledge of ski history and to increase public awareness of the sport's heritage.

ISHA, 530 Cheese Factory Rd., So. Burlington VT 05403 802-985-1283
Skiing Heritage, 133 South Van Gordon St #300, Lakewood CO 80228 303-987-1111