Arthur Tokle, Norwegian-born Olympic ski jumping legend, dies at age 82

Arthur Tokle, Norwegian-born Olympic ski jumping legend, dies at age 82{mosimage}ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Arthur E. Tokle, a Norwegian-born ski jumper who competed in the Olympics for the United States and coached ski jumpers for decades, has died.

Tokle, 82, of Rockaway Township, died last Thursday at the Compassionate Care Hospice at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Dover. The funeral home handling the arrangements confirmed his death Monday.

Tokle carried the flag for the U.S. team at the 1958 world championships in Finland, and competed in the 1952 Olympics, placing 18th off the large hill. He served as an Olympic coach in 1964 and 1968, and as a technical director at the 1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid.

Tokle died 60 years to the day after his brother, Torger Tokle, who was killed in action while serving with the U.S. Army Ski Troops in Italy. Torger Tokle was inducted into the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame in 1959, and Arthur in 1970.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Oddfrid.

-The Associated Press