Dr. Ronald B. Joseph, the 1964 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist in pairs with sister Vivian, passed away on Jan. 20, 2026, after more than a three-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Scelrosis (ALS). He was 81.

Ronald and Vivian, who grew up and trained in Chicago, enjoyed immense success on the ice. In addition to Olympic bronze, they earned the silver medal at the 1965 World Championships, the gold medal at the 1965 North American Championships and the U.S. title in 1965.

They were known for their speed and performing breathtaking spins and jumps. Sixty years later, the two were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame (January 2024) — an honor that Joseph's son Jeremy accepted on his behalf.

Dr. Joseph went on to a career in medicine. He became a renowned orthopedic surgeon, training at Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Joseph's 50-year medical career focused on surgery of the shoulder, hand and wrist, as he became one of the first surgeons to pioneer arthroscopic shoulder repair. He practiced in Jacksonville, Crystal River and Orlando, Florida; Aspen, Colorado; and Phoenix and Kingman, Arizona.

He and wife Krista raised two boys and two girls. Dr. Joseph's also had one son by his first marriage.

More about Dr. Joseph's life and legacy will appear in SKATING magazine in April.