The State College YMCA celebrated its oldest active member Friday morning with a surprise birthday gathering honoring Maynard Kohler, a Ferguson Township resident who has spent decades swimming nearly every weekday morning at the facility on West Whitehall Road.
Kohler, who turns 100 on Saturday, has been driving himself to the YMCA to swim every Monday through Friday for 22 years. Staff members, fellow swimmers and friends filled the lobby Friday with gold balloons, a homemade banner and birthday cake as they reflected on Kohler’s impact on the community.
“We have a lot of people coming into our pool; we have a lot of people that have been coming for a long time. Very, very few people have been coming to our pool for longer than Maynard has,” Zach Smith, a YMCA aquatics staff member said. “We know we’re gonna have Maynard here in the morning. We look forward to seeing him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sour face after Maynard walked by or has a word to share with him. So we look forward to seeing him every day, and we’re looking forward to continuing to see him every day.”
Kohler began swimming in 1967 around the time Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium first opened, following recommendations from his doctor and longtime Penn State baseball coach and athletic trainer Chuck Medlar. What started as eight laps per session eventually increased to as many as 36, about 1 mile. Over time, Kohler gradually reduced his distance and now swims four laps, or roughly 200 yards, almost every day.
“A football field is what, 100 yards? And four laps are 200 yards, so that means that every day I swim the length of a football field and back, so when you look at that, you realize that that’s no short distance,” Kohler said.
Cindy Lupton, executive director of member services, said Kohler’s attitude and consistency have made him a source of motivation for staff and members alike.
“He never comes in negative. He never comes in having a bad day, so I think that would inspire anyone who walks through our doors,” Lupton said. “Being 100 years old and being here, still coming, definitely inspires everyone… I mean, how many people here have celebrated their 100th birthday? Not too many people.
“I have never talked to Maynard any day that he didn’t have a smile on his face, a joke for all of us and again, just to be able to share his humor and his talents in the pool,” Lupton continued.
Kohler studied art history at Penn State beginning in 1943 before leaving to serve in the U.S. Army in 1945. After returning to State College, he remained in the area and built a life rooted in the community. He credits swimming with helping maintain his health and outlook as he aged.
“First of all, you do it because you like it and you love it. Then you develop this habit,” Kohler said. “But in swimming, and I’m sure with other exercises too, there’s something called endorphins… Your body gives you feedback…There’s a certain gain in perspective. Age goes up, and so does your view of things in terms of their inclusiveness.”
Kohler said the physical and mental benefits of swimming become clear after each session.
“I’ve come out to swim here, the Natatorium, or any place, and didn’t really feel good,” Kohlner said. “’Why am I here?’ I’d think. So then I swim, then I know why I’m here after. Boy, do you feel like a different person because your blood has been circulated. You peak your systems and so forth. It’s really wonderful.”
Friday’s celebration marked the second time the YMCA has formally honored Kohler. In 2024, the organization named a pool lane after him during a celebration for his 98th birthday.
“It’s unbelievable,” Kohler. “One of the nicest things here at the Y, to put a mirror up to those people working here, is that they’re always kind and supportive. By the time you think they’ve done too much for you, they do more.”
Sue Mazza, a YMCA member who donated Kohler’s birthday cake, said his influence extends beyond the pool.
“I have known Maynard for a long time,” Mazza said. “He helped me raise my kids, actually. He’s been a great part of my life, and I am very thankful for him. I appreciate him, and he’s an inspiration to all.”
Former YMCA member Heidi Wright, who met Kohler 20 years ago through swimming at the Y, even traveled from Portland, Oregon, to attend the celebration.
Reflecting on his life, Kohler emphasized the value of learning from experience.
“If you’re willing to admit it, what you do all throughout your early life, and all your life really, is that you make mistakes, and that you learn by those mistakes,” he said. “I probably, in retrospect, wouldn’t change anything, but there are always a few things that you wished you’d done better.”
Kohler hopes to next celebrate his 105th birthday with his YMCA family and said he plans to continue swimming for as long as his body lets him.
