News & Media

USADSF President Fleischer Passes Away

The Passing of a Tireless Advocate for Deaf Sports Reform and the Deaf Community is a Shock to Many

SIOUX FALLS, SD — November 2, 2009 — Dr. Lawrence R. Fleischer, president of the USA Deaf Sports Federation, suddenly passed away of a heart attack upon arrival in Burbank, California, from a conference on Sunday evening, November 1. Fleischer was on his way home from delivering the endnote presentation at the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 64 years old.

Born on October 11, 1945 in Long Island, New York, to deaf parents, Fleischer had been a lifelong advocate for deaf sports and the deaf community. In addition to his duties as USADSF president, he was chair of the Deaf Studies program at California State University, Northridge, and was also a driving force in the development of many programs covering Deaf Studies, ASL and Deaf Sports.

Fleischer had spent a good part of his life providing the dynamic leadership needed to restructure and change organizations to keep up with the times and needs of the Deaf Community.

He was secretary-treasurer, then president of the FarWest Athletic Association of the Deaf, chairperson of the Restructuring Committee of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD, now known as USA Deaf Sports Federation) from 1985 to 1989 and president of AAAD from 1989 to 1997. He was elected president again in 2005. He was also the driving force behind the revival of Pan American Deaf Sports Organization (PANAMDES) and served as its president 1998-2003.

Under his guidance and leadership during the 1990's, the AAAD transformed into an umbrella organization of 17 different national sports organizations that make up the framework and family of present-day USADSF.

Fleischer was a selfless, goal-oriented leader who had devoted all of his adult life towards the betterment of Deaf people’s lives, Deaf sports and Deaf education. He had always worked quietly behind the scene and was not one to seek the limelight. He believed that every individual’s contributions in any organization are important, and he actively included and empowered others to achieve their goals.

He is survived by his wife, Vera (Pedersen) and one son, Flann Fleischer, both of Granada Hills, California; one daughter, Flavia S. Fleischer, granddaughter, Ryssa B. Fleischer and son-in-law, Will Garrow all of Orem, Utah; and two brothers, Michael Fleischer of New York City and Gerald Fleischer of Long Island, New York. His parents, Samuel and Rita Fleischer, preceded him in death.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral. Information regarding a memorial service will be shared at a later date. The USADSF Executive Board will announce Fleischer's replacement as president of USADSF soon.

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About USADSF
USADSF is the only national athletic association in the United States that coordinates the participation of American deaf and hard of hearing individuals in international sport competitions. The Federation is affiliated with the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) and has hosted the Summer Deaflympics in 1965 (Washington, DC) and 1985 (Los Angeles), and the Winter Deaflympics in 1975 (Lake Placid, NY) and 2007 (Salt Lake City). The Games Preparation Committee, a standing committee of the Federation, coordinates with the Executive Board and each National Sport Organization to organize and prepare U.S. teams for the Deaflympics, Pan-American Deaf Sports Organization (PANAMDES) Games and World Championships.

Posted: November 2, 2009