Bob Beattie, 85, pioneer of Alpine World Cup circuit

The plaque that rested for years on ski icon Bob Beattie’s desk was inscribed with a matter-of-fact motto: It can be done.

An all-too-fitting mantra for the ski racing pioneer who helped launch the World Cup circuit more than 50 years ago and was part of the commentary crew that called one of the most thrilling Alpine races at the 1976 Winter Games.

Mr. Beattie died Sunday in Fruita, Colo., after dealing with various health issues. He was 85.

“Once he made up his mind something needed to happen, he would keep pounding away until he got it done,” his son, Zeno, said in a phone interview. “He had a lot of friends and they always came up to him and said, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve accomplished whatever.’

“He never really thought about that too much. His whole world was about working really hard. And if you worked really hard at something and you did it as a team and not as an individual you can pretty much do anything you ever wanted to do.”

Known as “Beats” or “Coach” to his friends, Mr. Beattie’s career included stints as coach of the U.S. ski team and at the University of Colorado, where he led the Buffaloes to a pair of national titles.

Mr. Beattie was paired with Frank Gifford to call one of the Winter Olympics’ most famous ski races for ABC — Austrian great Franz Klammer’s electric downhill run to capture gold in ’76.

“They realized Bob Beattie and I had a peculiar way of calling it,” the late Gifford once said in an interview with EmmyTVLegends.org. “Bob loved ski racing . ... He would get so excited at the race. My job was almost like ‘Monday Night Football,’ identify the players and let him go. He brought an unbelievable excitement to it.”

Over his career, Mr. Beattie worked four Winter Games, along with calling volleyball at the ’84 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He also was involved with ABC’s Wide World of Sports and hosted a ski show for ESPN. In 1984, he was inducted into the U.S. ski and snowboard hall of fame.

Mr. Beattie also found time to author several books on skiing and started a kids program in the Aspen Valley that flourishes today. The family is planning a celebration with the ski club this fall.

“He influenced a lot of people,” his son said.