Tage Johannes Pedersen

Tage Johannes Pedersen passed away April 26, 2016 in Ashland, Oregon at the age of 90. He was born in Thisted, Denmark on April 13, 1926. He met the love of his life, Pauline Vigeant, while she was studying abroad. They were later married, and at the behest of his older brother Henry, moved to Aspen in 1956 with their young daughter Sonja, who was followed by daughters Lorna and Karen.

He received his physical education degree from the YMCA College in Copenhagen, Denmark and later became the National Director of the Department of Physical Education of the YMCA and YWCA of Denmark. Tage eventually became Director of the Aspen Institute of Health and Fitness Center where he worked until 1983, teaching exercise classes, giving massages and working with people in need of physical therapy. It was during these exercise classes that he was discovered by the U.S. Alpine Olympic Ski Team.

Along with his life long dedication to Sports Medicine he found time to volunteer in the Aspen Community in a variety of activities. He was the founding president of the Ballet West Aspen, where he served as president for 12 years. He was Boy Scout troop leader in the early 1960’s, Tage served on the City of Aspen Board of Adjustments during the early 1970’s and served on the Pitkin County Human Service Council as cochairman during the period of transforming the old hospital into the center for Human Services and Senior Housing. Tage was a board member of the Aspen Hall of Fame. He was a corporate member of the Music Associates of Aspen. A board member for The Aspen Ski Club, which continues to present a fitness award annually in his name. He was also a founding member of the Colorado Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness. He was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2004

Tage and Pauline moved to Ashland Oregon in 2001 he was preceded in death by Pauline and his brother Henry in 2010. He is survived by his three daughters, Sonja Oss, Lorna Petersen, and Karin Pedersen, grandchildren Madison and Christian Oss, many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Thursday September 8th at 3:30 in the Doerr Hoiser Building at the Aspen Meadows.

Parking is very limited. In the spirit of Tage and fitness, if you can walk or ride your bike to help alleviate the parking we ask that. Parking will be available at the MAA lot on Gillespie Avenue with a short walk through Anderson Park.

If you would like to honor Tage with your personal “healing” story or have any questions you can email aspenlorna@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Steadman Philippon Research Institute http://www.sprivail.org in his name.