Henry Schubert* - Dearborn

Henry D. Schubert was Superintendent of Recreation for the City of Dearborn for 28 years retiring in 1958. He was born in Ford City, PA (1890), attended the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Tech and Northwestern University. He studied community organization and recreation at the Natural Recreation School.

His first interest in recreation came during WWI when he served overseas as Lieutenant Bandmaster in charge of soldier entertainment on leave at the French Rivera. Henry directed a 50 piece military concert band and was responsible for organizing regimental sports, parades, shows and circuses. After his army career he played clarinet in the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra.

During the depression years he organized an extensive entertainment program in all sections of Dearborn. Henry was also responsible for Dearborn becoming a center for ice hockey in the 1930's. Games were played on a lighted rink and featured top amateur teams form Southeastern Michigan and Canada. The success of this program led to his appointment as Michigan Chair of AAU hockey. He was also a master of the U.S. Olympic ice hockey committee, 1932.

Henry was an active member of MMAAA, for approximately 20 years. He was President, Vice President, chaired numerous committees including sports, Governor's Youth Guidance, membership recruitment, scholarship and was representative to the ARS. He was very interested in the preparation of young people planning to enter our profession.

 In 1945, Henry presented the Association with two $50 war bonds, thus initiating the first scholarship fund from our organization "to further the college and university training in community recreation leadership".

As a follow-up (1956) the MRPA scholarship fund was named the Henry D. Schubert fund and our Association provided three, two hundred dollar scholarships-information was sent to all students with a major or minor, attending a State of Michigan college or university.

Henry is remembered by Dearborn residents for his gigantic historical pageants, his department sponsored for six summers before World War II. These productions had as many as 1,500 residents in the casts and approximately 50,000 attended. Some of the recreation projects that came into fruition during his tenure at Dearborn include Seashore Pool in Levageed Park, Camp Dearborn in Milford, the annual All-Sports Banquet and a vast array of baseball, softball and basketball activities.

In reorganization of the quality recreation services he provided for Dearborn residents, the U.S. State Department selected Henry to inspect, review and report on recreation programs in German cities. He spent four months in Germany and also served as a consultant to German municipal officials about city recreation activities and projects.

Henry D. Schubert is fondly remembered by his colleagues for his Achievements in founding and nurturing Dearborn's vast recreation program and services recognized as one of the finest in the nation.