Several recent columns have dealt with the comings and goings of influential figures in this community. In the columns to which I refer, they spoke of the people largely responsible for molding the characters and abilities of generations of Attleboro youth outside of the home.
Youngsters today have to contend with a world far more complex, presenting them with a much wider scope of influences which impacts them in those formative years. It's far more vital today that our developing youth have strong and forceful role models to mentor them and to offer attractive alternatives to the wide variety of seductive forces which assault them constantly in the multimedia society of today.
Those previous postings concerned the coming of Jim Cassidy and the departure of Howard Tozier and the high caliber of former student-athletes they guided to be the adults of the community, and their good works were reinforced by others of similar lofty character outside of the school system. So today we'll recall a couple of the dedicated and indefatigable men who served our city as physical education directors at the YMCA, which was a place where the Attleboro youth of past generations spent a great deal of their energy and time.
From an issue of the Attleboro Sun in April 1960, I give you the going of Gene Clark, the coming of Bob Lepper.
Clark, YMCA physical ed. director, going to N. H.
Eugene R. "Gene" Clark Jr., director of health, recreation and physical education at the Attleboro YMCA for the past six years, has resigned to become a member of the New Hampshire state YMCA staff, effective Feb. 1.
Clark will have his headquarters in Littleton, N.H., and will serve as the North country executive. He will be responsible for developing and promoting a physical education program throughout the state.
During the summer, Clark will be the director of Camp Belknap, located near Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee. The camp is conducted by the YMCA and has a long and traditional history.
In the North country, Clark will be responsible for the Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y programs, play days, athletic meets and youth conferences in the 17 communities making up the area.
Clark came to the Attleboro Y in the fall of 1953. He and Mrs. Clark and their three children make their home on Blackstone Road.
Lepper succeeds Clark as Y physical ed. director
Robert "Bob" Lepper, a graduate of Attleboro High School with the class of 1954 and former three-sport star in baseball, basketball and football, has been named to succeed Gene Clark as physical education director at the YMCA, effective Feb. 1.
Clark, who has served here several years, has taken a position with the New Hampshire YMCA program. Lepper has been his assistant here for the last year and a half.
Lepper is single but will be married to Miss Nancy Fish of Attleboro Falls on April 23. They will reside in Attleboro.
Following graduation from AHS, Lepper attended the Rhode Island School of Design before moving into YMCA work. He was active on the wrestling, judo and weightlifting teams of the Y until last year, when he became ineligible to compete because of his position.
While playing for the Attleboro football squad, he teamed with his brother John, who is now teaching at the University of Tampa in Florida. The brothers were named to the All-Bristol County team and one recognition among Boston newspapermen. Bob played guard during his junior year and center as a senior. During the baseball season, he roamed the outfield for two years and was one of the top hitters on the club.
No changes will be made in the Y program, and Lepper will retain the present personnel in place. Howie Tozier, son of the high school athletic director, will be added as an assistant when he completes his college exams. He will become active in the weightlifting program and will take over in other capacities.
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I was quite young when Gene Clark came to the Attleboro Y, and it was when I turned 6 years old, about a year after his arrival, that I first joined the Y. I well remember Clark himself; he was a rather short, compact, high-energy man and always seemed upbeat. Other than that, I don't remember much about those early years at the Y except for one requirement they had which would certainly raise red flags everywhere today: Boys (and I guess men) had to swim in the pool "au natural" (swapping a swimsuit for a birthday suit, as it were). I recall, however, that physical culture books of that period featured pictures of men "in the raw," so presumably, it wasn't unusual back then.
I certainly remember Bob Lepper very well. The man seemed to know more about judo, wrestling and weightlifting than any boy could learn in a decade, but he was a persistent and patient teacher, and before long I would find myself using moves that he had taught me intuitively in "schoolyard scraps." Having no father or brothers at home, Bob Lepper was a gift from God. Though I'm sure he doesn't know it, Bob saved my tail from a good shellacking on many occasions...
I thank you, Robert.
And so, to these two fine gentlemen and the rest of you out there, please be kind and considerate to one another, and remember that courtesy is one of the only cheap commodities which pays huge dividends. Peace.
Thomas McAvoy looks back at the past each Tuesday. Contact him at [email protected].