A Lifetime at the Y

For 72 years, Larry has been connected to a YMCA. His journey began at the Clinton, Iowa YMCA when his parents gave him a one-year membership for $8 on his 8th birthday—a gift that began a great experience and impacted his life. The YMCA offered an indoor pool, gym, pocket billiards, ping-pong, father-son lunches, and many other opportunities that were new to him.

He learned to swim in that YMCA’s 11-yard-long pool—short by any standard—but he found it exciting as he progressed through the Minnow, Fish, Flying Fish, and Shark award levels. Swimming soon led to competition and swim meets, and while still just 8 years old, he won a state championship in his event. He continued competing through high school, won additional state championships, earned All-America status as a senior, and received an athletic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Together, those experiences added up to 15 years of successful competition. As Larry puts it, “None of which would have happened without my YMCA membership.”

Over the following years, Larry belonged to various athletic facilities, but says, “The Y is still my favorite.” There were periods when he was not a member only because he lived in areas without a YMCA. Later, while living in this area and working full-time, he commuted east from Lake Country and belonged to the Tri-County YMCA. For the past 15 years or so, however, he has been a member of the YMCA at Pabst Farms, which he says is “a great facility, filled with great people and very welcoming.”

He still enjoys swimming once or twice a week. For Larry, swimming is soothing, provides excellent exercise, and offers time for reflection.

When asked what stands out most, Larry says, “The Y helped shape my life, and I am thankful for that. I think of the Mission Statement and Christian principles, and that reminds me to have gratitude every day.”