Miller finds fountain of youth through recreation

Many figure skaters would concur that the peak of their athleticism was reached at a young age. However, for Ken Miller, it was age 60.

Miller, who grew up in Clear Lake and graduated high school here in 1946, has been named this year’s Recreator of the Year in Fort Collins, Colo.

Miller entered his first figure skating competition when he was 60-years-old. Now, at age 89, his resume includes competing in more than 100 events and winning 92 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and three bronze medals for his self-choreographed routines. He has competed throughout the United States, including alluring cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

Most medals were received at Nationals, and two gold medals at Worlds. He represented EPIC/Fort Collins 47 times. He has performed solo, as a duo, and with groups in ice shows.

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In 1992, Ken and his family, including his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, performed together in Colorado Springs with their routine, the Wizard of Oz, and received third place.

While Miller truly began his figure skating career after retirement, he has had a passion for skating and fitness his entire life.

He skated as a youngster, using tie on blades over his shoes to skate on nearby ponds. When he attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, he continued to visit the ice ponds to skate, but was distracted by a new found passion, sailing. In 1947, Ken started sailing regattas and competing on the lakes in the Midwest. He won the Nebraska Governor’s Cup Open Division seven times.

Each year, the City of Fort Collins Parks & Recreation Departments select one individual in the Fort Collins community as its Recreator of the Year. The Recreator of the Year is an advocate and an example for igniting passion through Recreation.

Ken’s spirit for fitness has held strong in his bones since he was a tyke.

From lakeshores to icy ponds, he has dabbled in recreational activities including skiing, carpentry, golf, biking, and leading Boy Scouts as a Patrol Dad, Troop Chairman, District Chairman, District Commissioner, and Council Board Member. His love for adventure usually ends up steering him back to the ice rink.

These days he can be found at the Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) in Fort Collins three times each week where he trains in the weight room and on the ice. He is a regular skater with the Wednesday morning Senior Coffee Skate Club.

As Ken says, “Fitness is important at any age.”

With so many achievements already displayed in his trophy case, what’s next for Ken? Well, he and his wife, Ramona, just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. As customary, Ken will be choreographing a skating routine that he will dedicate to Ramona for their 70th Anniversary.

Portions of this story first appeared in the Winter City of Fort Collins Recreator.

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