Lansdale, Herbert Parker 1898-1988.

Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. was born in 1898 in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Herbert Parker Lansdale, Sr. was the general secretary of the Rochester, New York YMCA from 1911 until his retirement in 1929. Lansdale, Jr. spent the majority of his professional career working with the YMCA, holding positions at YMCAs in Worcester, Mass; Salonika, Greece; and Rochester, New York. He served as executive secretary of the International Committeee of YMCAs of the United States and Canada from 1952 to 1957, and general secretary of the United States National Council of YMCAs from 1957 to 1964.

From the description of Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. papers, 1898-1989 (bulk 1955-1979). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62700479

Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. was born on March 7, 1898 in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Herbert Parker Lansdale, Sr. was the general secretary of the Rochester, New York YMCA from 1911 until his retirement in 1929. His mother was Lida R. Eppley Lansdale. His only sibling, Robert T. Lansdale (1900-1980), served as the New York Commissioner of Social Welfare under Governor Thomas E. Dewey from 1943 until 1953.

Lansdale graduated from East High School, Rochester, NY in 1915. He attended Oberlin College, where he received his B.A. in 1919 and his Masters in 1920. Honorary degrees bestowed upon him in later life included Doctors of Humanities from Beaver College in 1954, Springfield College in 1957 and Oberlin College in 1959; and an LL.D. from George Williams College in 1957.

Lansdale spent the majority of his professional career working with the YMCA. His positions included: education director of the Worcester, MA, YMCA (1920-1925); general secretary of the Saloniki, Greece, YMCA (1925-1931); national director of the Greek YMCAs (1927-1939); general secretary of the Rochester, NY, YMCA (1939-1952); executive secretary of the International Committee of YMCAs of the United States and Canada (1952-1957); general secretary of the United States National Council of YMCAs (1957-1964); secretary of the Rochester Community Chest (now called the United Way) (1964-1966); and as assistant to the president of Colgate Rochester Divinity School (1967-1972).

Lansdale married his first wife, Marjorie M. McKay in 1922 (d. March 1950). She was the mother of his two sons, Dr. Herbert Parker Lansdale III (known as "Parker") and Bruce McKay Lansdale. Parker Lansdale graduated from Monroe High School, Rochester, NY in 1942 and went on to graduate from Yale Divinity School as an ordained minister. His life's work has concentrated on the YMCA. Bruce Lansdale also attended Monroe High School, as well as the University of Rochester, from which he graduated in 1946. He served as Director of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece from 1954 to 1990.

Lansdale's second wife was Mrs. Grace H. Hartley (d. March 1953). Her children were Peter and Ann. His third wife was Mrs. Jessie L. Howell, who survived him. Her daughter by her first marriage was Jacqueline.

Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. died on September 13, 1988 in Palo Alto, CA, where he had retired.

Biographical information is quoted from the finding aid for the Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. Papers, 1863-1982, at the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries.

From the guide to the Herbert Parker Lansdale, Jr. papers., 1898-1989, (bulk 1955-1979)., (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])