Robert Fleming, chairman of the United States Olympic Ice Hockey Committee for the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” gold medal-winning team at Lake Placid, died on July 31. His age was 97.
From 1970 to 1981, Fleming served as USA Hockey’s vice president and chaired the ice hockey committee for five Olympics. He spent 33 years as a director of USA Hockey.
For his efforts with the 1980 squad and for his exceptional contributions to hockey on an individual basis, he was honoured with the Lester Patrick Award twice.
In 2004, he and the 1980 squad were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He played for the University of Minnesota for four seasons and the U.S. Hockey League’s Rochester Mustangs for five.
He served as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation during his 43-year tenure at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Fleming’s wife, Cynthia, four daughters, sixteen grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren survive him.
