Wharton Westfeldt ’68

Wharton Westfeldt ’68 passed away on May 3 surrounded by family. He was born on January 20, 1946, in Denver. Following high school at Le Rosey in Switzerland and semesters at the universities of Tubingen and Madrid, he majored in anthropology and was a member of Zeta Psi, the ski school, and the Outing Club at Dartmouth. “Weems” then began a lifelong career as a ski instructor, which took him to resorts in the United States and New Zealand. His influence in Aspen, Colorado, was monumental, and he directed the ski schools for all four mountains from 1999 to 2005 and was Highlands’ manager from 2012 to 2017. He was a mentor to many great skiers, a lead Aspen ski school trainer, and a creator of the diamond pro and sports training programs. In addition to his excellence at skiing, Weems was an accomplished classical guitar player, polyglot, and writer. His son Dylan was born to his first wife, Hollace Daytz. On his many ski travels he met and married Nancy Bogle, who gave birth to triplets Ben, Patrick, and Wallace (who later died in a backcountry snowboard accident). In later years, Weems reconnected with an old high school friend, remarried, and followed her to France full time just before the pandemic lockdown. His last five years were marked by the challenges of progressive dementia. Son Dylan and his family supported Weems through this last chapter with compassion and love. He is survived by Ben, Patrick, and Dylan; two brothers; and three grandchildren.