Wesley "Wes" Deist

Wesley "Wes" Deist (1923-2008)

Equal parts inspirational mentor and tireless public servant, Wesley ‘Wes’ Deist stands tall among the giants of skiing in the Intermountain West. Deist willingly shared his love of skiing – a monumental 62-year tenure as coach of the KIFI and Kelly Canyon Ski Teams, establishing ski schools, and serving as a certified ski instructor and examiner, a board member of the Idaho Division of the U.S. Ski Association and a two-term president of the Intermountain Division of the USSA. As a prime mover in the development of skiing in the Idaho Falls Area, the one-time Golden Gloves boxer and elite Navy Seal during World War II, coached with tough love while also being a counselor, chaperone, chauffer and tireless volunteer. Wes was the ultimate role-model to his athletes.

 

His unique style of leadership was based on patience and integrity, traits he used to build the Idaho Falls junior racing ski team from scratch, operate a ski shop and expose thousands to the exhilaration of skiing. The 1972 Marc A. Strand award winner for outstanding service to the sport of skiing, Wesley “Wes” Deist’s legacy features a lifetime of inspirational leadership and service.