I knew Louise since she was a teenager. I was an established paddler when her brothers Norm and Jimmy enthusiastically entered whitewater boating. At that point the boats and paddles were all handmade. Her brothers created their C-1s, and Louise enthusiastically followed in a kayak. At that point all paddlers raced and cruised. We ran the Yough, the Cheat, and the Gauley and then joined the slaloms, including Brandywine and Petersburg.
1972 was the year that changed the sport when slalom boating was added in the Olympics as a test. The team trials for the U.S. entrants were held on the Savage River. I was a gate judge and a photographer. On Louise's first run at the Savage trials, she swam, but her second run put her on the team! The 1972 Olympic Team was fully manned with three boats in C-1, K-1, K-1W and two boats in C-2. K-1W paddlers were Louise, Cindy Goodwin (Wall) and Lyn (Carrie) Ashton. They headed to the Olympic venue fully outfitted in handsome uniforms. The girls finished out of the medals but in good form. Lyn Ashton was 9th; Cindy Goodwin 14th, and Louise 15th five seconds behind Cindy. Best of all, young Jamie McEwan was third in C-1, earning him a bronze medal. The Olympics were not held for whitewater slalom for another 20 years, 1992! In 1973, world championships were held in Switzerland, with Louise earning a gold medal in the K-1W team event.
Louise and my lives separated. She married, graduated from Penn State, and had two children, Carolyn and Joshua. I married and had three, Becky, Jonathan and Amy. We became fast friends after the marriages collapsed, and we helped each other rear our wonderful children. Louise met and married Chip Morris, who joined her on multiple paddling trips with three of his four children. One of our favorite vacation stops was Cumberland Island in Georgia right near the Florida border set up by her brother Jimmy. All the children were young and played wonderful games as we wandered the ocean beaches. Joining us were Matt Butcher and Liz Pennisi.
Louise passed on June 21, 2026. She is sorely missed.
Obituary, Lotz Funeral Homes