ARTICLE
Omar Dunn We regret to inform the RSA members that a true icon of the sport has passed away. Roller Skating Hall of Fame Member Michael Omar Dunn passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 at is home in Bakersfield, California. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. In his 85 years Omar Dunn went from a little boy in Ohio, to the Air Force, to California and around the world. Omar was disciplined in his personal life and in his coaching. He believed in fundamentals and hard work. His discipline and work ethic earned him promotions in the Air Force, and allowed him to eventually own Skateland of Bakersfield. Skateland hosted students and coaches from around the world who came to learn and train with Omar and Dolores Dunn. These athletes and coaches often stayed in the Dunn residence for extended periods of time. The athletes came from Brazil, Australia, Columbia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Argentina, Germany and Italy. In addition to influencing the sport's rise around the world, Omar coached many Regional and National Champions, and several World Champions! Daughter Natalie was a three-time world champion in the 1970s He was a tough coach, who got the most out of his athletes. He received the true honor of once again representing his country as the first artistic skating coach for the Pan American Games of 1979. In his skating coaching career he travelled to at least a dozen countries for World Championships and other exhibitions. Not only was he an excellent coach, he was an exceptional businessman. The hundreds of floor guards, skate room attendants and snack bar workers he hired, trained and watched move on to successful careers was a source of great pride. Omar is survived by his Daughters, Natalie and Leslie, and four grandchildren. The grandchildren saw the softer side of the former drill instructor, and all participated in artistic skating. A giant of the sport has passed. We thank him for his 70 year commitment to our sport.
Omar Dunn
We regret to inform the RSA members that a true icon of the sport has passed away. Roller Skating Hall of Fame Member Michael Omar Dunn passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 at is home in Bakersfield, California. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. In his 85 years Omar Dunn went from a little boy in Ohio, to the Air Force, to California and around the world.
Omar was disciplined in his personal life and in his coaching. He believed in fundamentals and hard work. His discipline and work ethic earned him promotions in the Air Force, and allowed him to eventually own Skateland of Bakersfield. Skateland hosted students and coaches from around the world who came to learn and train with Omar and Dolores Dunn. These athletes and coaches often stayed in the Dunn residence for extended periods of time. The athletes came from Brazil, Australia, Columbia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Argentina, Germany and Italy. In addition to influencing the sport's rise around the world, Omar coached many Regional and National Champions, and several World Champions! Daughter Natalie was a three-time world champion in the 1970s He was a tough coach, who got the most out of his athletes. He received the true honor of once again representing his country as the first artistic skating coach for the Pan American Games of 1979. In his skating coaching career he travelled to at least a dozen countries for World Championships and other exhibitions.
Not only was he an excellent coach, he was an exceptional businessman. The hundreds of floor guards, skate room attendants and snack bar workers he hired, trained and watched move on to successful careers was a source of great pride.
Omar is survived by his Daughters, Natalie and Leslie, and four grandchildren. The grandchildren saw the softer side of the former drill instructor, and all participated in artistic skating.
A giant of the sport has passed. We thank him for his 70 year commitment to our sport.