STAFF INDUCTEES

HUGO GRASSI (1895-1985)

A 1925 graduate of Springfield College, Grassi was the first Physical Director of the Montevideo YMCA in Uruguay and eventually the General Secretary there. In 1940, he was elected American General Secretary of the South American Federation of YMCAs. Under his leadership the federation established new associations and constructed new YMCA buildings. By 1950, there were 14 YMCA associations in South America that served 300,000 people. In 1956, he joined the World Alliance staff in Geneva. Hugo Grassi’s career earned him the distinction of being called “the John R. Mott of South America.”

ARMIN F. “WHITEY” LUEHRS (1924- )

Armin F. “Whitey” Luehrs had a 41 and a half year career with the YMCA and was one of the most highly recognized camping specialists during his era of 1948 -1990. Within the camping movement of his time, he was considered legendary by his peers.

He was drawn to the YMCA as a Hi-Y high school student when a new YMCA opened up in his home town of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He became a summer staff person at the Wisconsin State YMCA Camp Manito-wish.

After graduating from George Williams College with degrees in Group Work Education and Administration, Whitey’s professional career began as Camp/Community Director in Davenport, Iowa.

His local work continued with the St. Paul YMCA as Director of the wilderness canoe camp, Widjiwagan and the new resident family Camp du Nord, the latter of which he helped establish.

In the decades of the 70’s and 80’s, many camps came upon some “hard times” which required many frequent on-site consultations along with specialized national and regional meetings. During Whitey’s career, he visited over 200 YMCA camps, offering exemplary service to many.

For eight years in retirement, Whitey served as Chairman of the International Camp Counselor Program (ICCP) for the New York YMCA.

YMCA HALL OF FAME 2013 Inductees