Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series.

There are more details regarding the contributions LeRoy Maas has made to local life than what’s indicated with the four mementos he recently donated to the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

However, to understand his important role in local recreation, especially for the city’s youth, some biographical information might be helpful.

Maas was born in St. Paul on Sept. 5, 1917, and graduated from John Marshall High School, Minneapolis, in 1935. He received a bachelor’s degree from what’s now Bemidji State University in 1940. He later received a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1950 and did graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Mankato State University.

Maas became married the day after graduating from college on June 7, 1940. His first position as a coach and teacher was at Onamia High School for two years. He was then at Tracy High School for a year.

The couple came to Albert Lea in 1943 and he became a coach and physical education teacher and started the high school’s first wrestling program.

“We started wrestling from scratch and worked with Mason City High School to get going,” he commented.

In early 1945 Maas volunteered for service with the U.S. Navy.

“I had three brothers in the service. Right at that time I was married and we had two young children. Yet, I felt it was my duty to serve the nation, “ he explained.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Maas returned to Albert Lea and resumed his teaching and coaching career.

In 1951, Maas became the city’s second recreational director.

“This was a full-time job during the summer months and part-time during the school year, “ he said.

“We were the pioneers of local recreation for all seasons,” Maas added.

During his 17 years as the city recreation director, ice skating became more popular at Morin Park and several other parks with the addition of warming buildings for the outdoor rinks, plus the addition of an indoor rink in the arena building at the fairgrounds. His recreation programs, with the assistance of a large staff, included city beach swimming and lessons at the west end of Johnson Street, supervised activities at city parks during the summer months and a Youth Center in the National Guard Armory then located on West Clark Street.

“Working with the kids kept me busy all year,” he commented.

Maas organized the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club in 1962. (This still very active organization will be presenting their annual show at the City Arena on March 19 and 20.) Other groups and programs he started were Golden Age Club in 1952, Men’s Slow Pitch in 1962, Archery Club in 1955 and Men’s Volleyball in 1963. He was also instrumental in the creation of several tennis and horseshoe courts.

His tenure as the city’s recreational director concluded in 1968. Maas retired in 1980 after 37 years in the Albert Lea school system.

“I really enjoyed my work. I always wanted to be a coach and teacher,” he said.

LeRoy and his wife, Lillian, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2010. They have four children: JoAnn, Susan, Cathy and Ronald; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“As I look back, there’s a feeling we did a lot of good things,” he concluded.