Kevin loved to ski! Even though his skiing was affected by his asthma, in the 70s before puffers changed the lives of asthmatics, he tried his best and even raced on the Soo Finnish racing team.
He came from a family of skiers and started to ski at the old Hiawatha Lodge trails before cross country skiing was really a popular sport. Skiing in those days was an adventure with narrow trails and a few large trees as obstacles on the steep down hills.
Kevin was always willing to help, whether it was cleaning some of the new trails we now enjoy, working at races, or helping with the Jackrabbits. In those days the Jackrabbit program, as we know it now, was just being developed by Cross Country Canada, but Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club was one step ahead and had already developed their own program.
He was one of the first instructors with Cross Country Algoma, who traveled to local schools with a van load of equipment to teach young children the art of cross country skiing. Kevin loved being with the children who looked forward to each visit of the van and the lesson they would learn.
For those who knew Kevin during his brief life, he was a joy to be around, with his outgoing personality and quick smile.
Kevin passed away in 1985 at the age of 24.
The Kevin Allan Riutta Award is given annually to that person or persons who through example, endeavour and leadership promotes and fosters cross country skiing among the youth of Sault Ste Marie.
Past Recipients of the Kevin Allan Riutta Award
2023 Greg MacLachlan, Shane Dunne, Kevin Magill
2022 Sarah Butler, Kerith Slagel
2020 Anna Reich
2019 Vivian Hall, Don Hall
2018 Raymond Gingras
2017 David Baldwin
2016 John Santana, Diane Charron-Bishop
2015 Cassandra Neilsen, Mathew Towle
2014 Hiawatha Highlands Staff
2013 Maxine Orr
2012 Colin Templeton
2011 Joanna MacDougall, Amy Wheeler Reich
2010 Larry Tomie
2009 Carl Rosso
2008 Kevin Grant
2007 J.J. Hilsinger
2006 Chris Kitzmen, Wendy Steele
2005 Peter Uhlig
2004 Jim Maxwell
2003 Michael Keating
2002 Dennis Paradine
2001 Dee Paterson
2000 Sharon Cuddy, Lyn Rosso
1999 Mary Ann Hayman
1998 Rich & Sue Greenwood
1997 Ted Sutton
1996 Bonnie & Rick Yurich
1995 Virve Manniste-Squire, Jan Duggan
1994 Helen Lindfors
1993 Matt Kommusaar
1992 Allan Spurr
1991 Wayne Westman
1990 Jim & Dee Patterson
1989 Paul Niemi
1988 Melba Kinnunen
1987 Kitty Dustin
1986 J.J. Hilsinger
1985 Heikki Kinnunen