Ronald Joseph
Olympic Figure Skater and Coach
Dr. Ronald B. Joseph, an American figure skater who earned an Olympic bronze medal in pairs alongside his sister Vivian, passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 81 after a three-and-a-half-year battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Joseph captivated audiences with their elegant performances and went on to have a distinguished career as an orthopedic surgeon, dedicating his life to healing others.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1944, Ronald Joseph began his competitive figure skating journey early, forming a formidable partnership with his older sister, Vivian. The 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of the entire U.S. World Figure Skating Team thrust the young Josephs into the spotlight. They became U.S. national junior champions in 1961 and went on to finish in the top three at the U.S. Championships from 1962 to 1965, winning the national title in 1965.
The pinnacle of their competitive career came at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Initially placing fourth, the Joseph siblings were later elevated to bronze medalists in 1966 after a retroactive disqualification of the West German pair due to a professional contract violation. This made them the first Jewish athletes to win an Olympic medal in figure skating.
Following his Olympic triumph at age 19, Joseph made the pivotal decision to pursue medicine rather than professional skating. He attended Northwestern University on a track scholarship, where he placed third at the 1964 Big Ten Championship, before going on to medical school. He became a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and practiced for over 50 years, caring for patients at facilities including the VA Medical Center.
In 2024, Joseph was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, recognizing his enduring contributions to the sport. He was the beloved husband of 32 years to St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph. Despite his ALS diagnosis in 2023, he faced his illness with dignity and grace, communicating through eye movements on a computer screen while maintaining his intellect, love for family, and sense of humor until the end.
Ronald Joseph will be remembered not only for his Olympic achievement but also for his grace on the ice, his dedication to medicine, and his profound impact on all who knew him. He leaves behind a rich legacy as both an athlete and a healer.