The sport of ski racing lost one of its biggest champions when Dr. Richard Steadman passed away on January 20th at his home in Vail, CO. Steadman’s pioneering techniques in surgery and rehab, his patient-centered individualized care and his contagious optimism and encouragement saved athletic careers of World Class athletes across all professional sports and improved the lives of thousands more active individuals. 

To tell the story of his particular and enormous impact on ski racing, we are re-running this story written about him in 2016. It coincided with the Grateful Steadys, a party to celebrate Dr. Steadman and to unveil a statue honoring him. One statue resides at the entrance of the Steadman Phillipon Research Institute in Vail, where people have been leaving flowers and notes in remembrance. Another statue lives at US Ski and Snowboard’s Center of Excellence in Park City, a reminder to all of Steadman’s incomparable contribution to the sport.

The statue inscription reads: 

Dr. J. Richard Steadman

Pioneer Mentor Visionary

His skill, innovation and quiet magic enabled everyday citizens and World Class athletes alike to return from injury, reach their loftiest goals and live full active lives. He revolutionized orthopaedics and sports medicine leaving a profound legacy across all sports but especially in skiing, thanks to his innovative surgical and rehabilitation techniques developed over forty years of working with the US Ski Team, This gentle humble giant of a man enriched us all with his medical genius and compassionate touch. Steady this is for you, with the enduring appreciation from your grateful athletes, patients and fans.