On Aug. 16, Charles Dewey Fetter of Princeton, N.J., and Ketchum, Idaho, died at his home in Ketchum, Idaho, after a courageous and inspiring 12-year battle against cancer. He was 70 years of age, but very young at heart.
He was born on April 3, 1944, in Princeton, Ind., and spent most of his childhood in Louisville, Ky. He attended Butler University. He was the 1964 United States National Champion in Ice Dancing and a member of the U.S. World Figure Skating Team. He coached figure skating for 50 years at the Skating Club of New York, the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society, Sun Valley, the Princeton Day School, and the Princeton Skating Club. In 1998, he started and became the president of the Skaters Fund, a 501 (3c) for coaches and performing skaters who have fallen upon hard times due to accident, illness or problems due to aging.
A longtime member of the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), in 2011 he was given the Betty Beren’s Award presented to a coach who has overcome adversity—physical or emotional—who has continued in dedication and perseverance to serve their profession with dignity and fortitude. In 2012, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for “Dedication and service to the PSA.”
A loving, artistic and joyful person, Charles was known for his booming laugh, his love of skating and teaching, and his ability to see only beauty and goodness in life. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Charles is survived by his wife of 23 years, Alice “Sandy” McGlinn Fetter; his son Charles “Chase” Fetter; his daughters Hilary Howerton and Amy Fetter-Johnson; and his seven grandchildren. In addition, he leaves behind his former wife, Sandra Fetter; his two stepsons, Jim and Alex Connell; and two sisters, Janet Sledge and Debbie Klempner. He was predeceased by his brother Mark Fetter and his parents, Charles and Dorothy Fetter.
All are invited to attend a reception in honor of his memory this Saturday, August 23, from 4-7 p.m. (location to be announced). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charles’ name to the Skaters’ Fund (202 Park Knoll, Princeton, NJ), the Princeton Day School (Princeton, NJ 08542), or Hospice & Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley (P.O. Box 4320, Ketchum, ID 83340.)
