Skippy Baxter

Lloyd Valdemar "Skippy" Baxter (December 6, 1919 – December 18, 2012) was an American figure skater. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, his family moved to Oakland, California when he was 1 year of age. Skippy started his skating career there as a speed skater, winning some awards. Then later, he won two medals at the 1940 United States Figure Skating Championships: a bronze in men's singles and a silver in pair skating with Hedy Stenuf. Baxter was famous for the backflip that he regularly performed during shows. Skippy was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2003.

Results (men's singles) Event 1940 U.S. Championships 3rd

(pairs with Stenuf) Event 1940 U.S. Championships 2nd

Early life Lloyd Baxter, having endured an accident as a youth with a tractor, which almost resulted in a leg amputation, began skating at the urging of his mother to strengthen his leg to avoid amputation. Baxter enlisted in the United States army in 1943 and served in Northern Italy during the war with the 10th Mountain Division, along with his brother Meryl Baxter.