USA Fencing

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – One of the founders of fencing in the Pacific Northwest, Leon Auriol (Redmond, Wash.), passed away in his sleep on Saturday at the age of 88.

The founder of Salle Auriol locations in both Portland and Seattle, Auriol is credited with bringing competitive fencing to a region which now boasts numerous Olympians, including four-time Olympian Michael Marx (Concord, Mass.) and three-time Olympian Robert Marx (Portland, Ore.) who were among Auriol’s early students.

A native of France, Auriol studied at the National Institute of Sport where he earned his Maitre d’Arms and was certified as a master of all three weapons. In 1963, Auriol moved to Seattle to train modern pentathlete Bob Miller. Auriol went on to establish Salle Auriol and continued to develop fencers throughout the region, teaching in locations in Seattle and Portland as well as at the University of Washington, Seattle University and Bellevue Community College.

Auriol later brought his younger brother, Yves Auriol (Las Vegas, Nev.) to the United States to run the club in Portland which would later become Northwest Fencing Center.

A celebration of life for Leon Auriol will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Salle Auriol Seattle, 1419 Elliott Avenue West. 

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – One of the founders of fencing in the Pacific Northwest, Leon Auriol (Redmond, Wash.), passed away in his sleep on Saturday at the age of 88.

The founder of Salle Auriol locations in both Portland and Seattle, Auriol is credited with bringing competitive fencing to a region which now boasts numerous Olympians, including four-time Olympian Michael Marx (Concord, Mass.) and three-time Olympian Robert Marx (Portland, Ore.) who were among Auriol’s early students.

A native of France, Auriol studied at the National Institute of Sport where he earned his Maitre d’Arms and was certified as a master of all three weapons. In 1963, Auriol moved to Seattle to train modern pentathlete Bob Miller. Auriol went on to establish Salle Auriol and continued to develop fencers throughout the region, teaching in locations in Seattle and Portland as well as at the University of Washington, Seattle University and Bellevue Community College.

Auriol later brought his younger brother, Yves Auriol (Las Vegas, Nev.) to the United States to run the club in Portland which would later become Northwest Fencing Center.

A celebration of life for Leon Auriol will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Salle Auriol Seattle, 1419 Elliott Avenue West.