Lawrence Moser

Lawrence P. Moser was the first Recreation Director for the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was hired when the recreation division was formed (1924). Initially, the recreation division was located in the Department of Public Health and Welfare being funded by the City of Kalamazoo, the Board of Education and Kalamazoo Township. He directed the Recreation Department (1936) when it became a separate city department until it was combined with the parks department (1965). “Pete” retired as the Recreation and Parks Director after 42 years of service to our profession.

“Pete” was actively involved in MMAAA, MRA and RAM for more that 28 years as President (MRA 1945-1947), the first elected secretary-treasurer (MMAAA 1935-1937; MRA 1938-1944), member and chair of numerous committees including representative to the Michigan Municipal League (1948, 1955-1963), and other committees including legislative, Governor’s Youth Guidance, Juvenile Institute, membership, budget and various sports.
“Pete” made other significant contributions to the profession particularly in 1965 when in the same year, he was secretary-treasure of the U.S. Baseball Federation (USBF), appointed by the USBF as representative to the National Collegiate Baseball Foundation and became Baseball Commissioner for the State of Michigan. In addition, Western Michigan University presented to “Pete” their Outstanding Alumni Award.

 Lawrence P. “Pete” Moser was remembered by a colleague and close friend: “They talk about actors always being on stage, Pete was always thinking “Recreation” twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. More than once during the 1930’s and 40’s, the Michigan Recreation Association weathered many a storm because of Pete’s cool, calm, analytical and persuasive mind and personality.”