Sonya Dunfield Passes Away
In a deeply saddening turn of events, the figure skating community mourns the loss of Sonya Klopfer Dunfield. The esteemed U.S. champion, two-time World medalist, and Olympian from the early 1950s passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 90.
Born in an era where figure skating began to captivate international audiences, Sonya Klopfer rose to fame after her impactful performances during the 1952 World Championships. Following her competitive career, she transitioned to entertaining audiences across the globe, gracing the ice with performers in Ice Capades, Holiday on Ice, and closing her theatrical chapter at the Roxy Theatre in New York.
Later in life, she found happiness and purpose alongside her husband, Peter Dunfield, as they curated a successful coaching career across the U.S. and Canada. Their impact shaped many champions in the sport, including Dorothy Hamill, Elizabeth Manley, Charlene Wong, Yuka Sato, and Scott Smith.
Remembering her legacy, Sonya once highlighted her passion for figure skating, stating, “I want to help everybody learn to skate and love to skate. That’s my biggest joy — to see somebody do something they thought they couldn’t do and come out with a smile.” This radiant spirit underscored her coaching philosophy and endeared her to students and fans alike.
In 2009, Sonya was deservedly inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in Cleveland, solidifying her place among the luminaries of the sport.
Plans for an in-person memorial in Sun Valley, Idaho, are underway for September 20, with potential live streaming options for those unable to attend. Her sons, Gregory and Roger Dunfield, aptly encapsulated her essence, noting, “She was a force of nature in sport, who touched the lives of so many with her spirit, guidance and strength. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”
Stay tuned for a fuller obituary that will highlight Sonya Dunfield’s indelible impact and will be featured in the upcoming fall issue of SKATING magazine in early October.
