Melissa Militano Warkmeister, a three-time U.S. pairs champion and 1972 Olympian, passed away in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 16. She was 69.
Militano earned her first U.S. pairs title with brother, Mark, in 1973, and won two more with Johnny Johns in 1974 and 1975. She and her brother placed seventh at the 1972 Games in Sapporo, Japan. She competed at seven consecutive World Championships (1969-1975).
Before switching exclusively to pairs, Militano was a successful singles skater, winning the U.S. junior bronze title in 1970 and the gold medal in the junior ranks in 1971.
Her coaches included Peter Dunfield and Ron Ludington.
After retiring from competitive skating in 1975, Militano performed in the Ice Capades for four years.
She and husband Randy Warkmeister have one daughter, Kelly, and two grandsons.
A date for a celebration of life will be announced in the near future.
U.S. Figure Skating offers its deepest condolences to her family.
