Page 67 - NSAA 2017 Fall Journal

He accepted the offer and relocated his family to USIA offices For one, he and Glenda have a large family, including Eric, Jill,
in Virginia. A year later, in 1992, USIA dissolved, and the once- and Brenden. (Tragically, their son Gavin died from cancer in
again independent NSAA relocated to Lakewood, Colo., with a 2014.) There are also in-laws, four grandchildren (for now),
new president—Michael Berry—taking the helm. friends, church involvement and, of course, The Hobby.
Roslund loaded up the NSAA files into a moving van and Roslund is a serious model railroad aficionado—a lifelong
headed west. “I first met Michael while I was moving furni- interest that has involved setting up a full layout of trains in every
ture into the building right before Christmas,” he says. The house. Recently, he “reclaimed the basement, after the last child
two set up a makeshift office on New Year’s Day. It is an inter- moved out,” and he’s currently rebuilding his 45-year-old collec-
esting footnote to their working relationship that they are tion of trains. He’s also an avid member of a regional club, the
both retiring from their long-held roles this year. SLICK-X Railroad (“Have layout, will travel”), which has a 16 x
“I couldn’t have started the new NSAA without Sid’s 40-foot layout they set up at various shows and venues.
invaluable help,” said Berry. “No one can fully realize the Roslund is also in charge of the physical logistics for
minutiae, the detail, the the Colorado Crossroads
painstaking patience with Volleyball Tour, a tour-
— PEER REVIEWS —
standards committees, and nament of 800 teams
“Sid Roslund retiring will not be fully accomplished, in my opinion, for years. His
just the breadth of knowl- held over two weekends
steady hand will continue to be felt by all the organizations he has touched over his
edge that Sid has developed career. Throughout my career Sid has been one of a small handful of my go-to peo- each spring. Using the
over his quarter century ple for up-to-the-minute factual information within the ski industry. Confidante, same deliberate, exacting
friend, wrench-turner, rigger, wire-rope guy, leader, hard worker, dependable, and
with NSAA. With all that family man are but a few of the words that come to mind when describing him.” approach for which he’s
knowledge and history, he’s —Maynard Russell, Vice Chairman, B.77 Committee known in the ski indus-
an institution himself.” “It will take three people to replace Sid Roslund. I was one of the people who try, he oversees the set-
advocated for Sid to get the job as NSAA’s technical director after USIA
Roslund’s days with ting up and tearing down
broke up. There was no one else more appropriate for the position or who
NSAA have been largely filled would do the kind of job I knew he’d do—and I was proven correct. He had of 100-plus courts for the
with the inner workings of the boots-up learning experience in the ski business and was able to bring event—a job he inherited
the tech side too, especially with his experience with the material trans-
numerous committees: ANSI portation side of things. He has always been the guy to get the job done. some 25 years ago when his
B.77 Committee (and its 22 —Jim Fletcher, Engineering Specialties Group daughter started playing
subcommittees); ASTM F27 “Sid is a great friend and mentor to me as well as countless others in the ropeway volleyball in high school.
Committee on Snow Skiing; family. He is truly a man with global vision and influence. Few others have given “I have been lucky in
as gladly and as often to serve our industry. His boots will be difficult to fill.”
ASTM F24 Committee on —Paul “Bear” Rauschke, Colorado Mountain College that my career has rolled
Amusement Devices and “Sid has been tirelessly dedicated to his work and the ski industry for the past 27 along from one place to
Rides (which includes aerial years, and his teachings and contributions will continue to provide guidance for another,” Roslund says.
many years to come. Sid’s ability to share technical knowledge and provide leader-
adventure courses, zip lines, “And, I have always been
ship to the Lift Maintenance and Lift Operations personnel, as well as his incredible
and canopy tours); ASTM work with the RMLA during the course of his career, is truly amazing and inspiring. fortunate to have work that
F08 Committee on Sports Personally, Sid Roslund has been a friend and a resource for most of my career.” not only interested me but
—Clyde Wiessner, Vail Resorts Management Company
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, also was important work.”
and Facilities (Roslund Anyone who knows
chaired the ski helmets standard working group); OITAF (the Roslund would not be surprised that he doesn’t use a word
International Organization for Transportation by Rope); and like “bittersweet” to describe how he feels about retiring from
OITAF NACS (the North American Continental Section). And NSAA. Instead, he likens the process to a major maintenance
there has been A LOT a lot of travel to industry meetings, confer- project that is completed and running smoothly so you can
ences, and educational seminars. move on to the next challenge.
Crafting the ski helmet standard for the ASTM F08 “You’ve been going at a certain level and doing something
Committee is one of the best examples of the colossal effort that for nearly 50 years,” he says. “You hope that somehow you’ve
goes into producing a consensus standard, Roslund says. “That imparted your knowledge and that you’ve helped set things up
one only took eight years, and everyone was in heated agree- so they can continue.”
ment,” he deadpans. “You’re trying to get all these stakeholders Looking back at all that Sid Roslund has done for the
with diverse views, needs, and wants to come to a consensus so industry over the years—and no one could overestimate how
they agree on a standard’s wording and approve the ballot.” much that has been—there’s little doubt he’s leaving things
While Roslund may be stepping down from his job, it just as he always has: carefully tested, reliable, and in very
seems unlikely that he will be casting about for things to do. good working order.

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