MAYER, MAYNARD LEROY "LEE"Age 81, of Plum Boro, born June 30,1930, died Sunday, January 29, 2012. Son of the late Maynard C. Mayer and Eva Bell (Weber) Mayer; sister of Alyce Ilene (Mayer) and her husband Gordon Duncan of, Swansea, IL; Cousin of Charles Mayer, Tolland, CT (JoAnn) and Dorothy (Mayer) McKinney, Madison, FL (Oliver); aunt of Bonnie Jeanne (Duncan) Washburn, Swansea, IL (Eric); grandnephews, James Washburn, Swansea, IL, David Washburn, Annapolis, MD (USNA); grandniece, Sarah Washburn , Sandpointe, Idaho. Lee received his early education in Wilkinsburg and after the early death of his father, transferred to the Hershey Boys School in Hershey, PA, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He returned to Pittsburgh where he pursued his interest in art by enrolling in the art program at Carnegie Tech. He was employed by the H J Heinz Company in Pittsburgh in the Commercial Art Department where he was involved in the design for retail sales. He was proudest of his design of a display bottle that was used for a time in marketing. Lee became interested in teaching and began to take some night courses. This caused Lee to change directions and he decided to pursue an education degree at Indiana State College . He was awarded a B.S. Degree in Education and qualified to teach Social Studies, English, and French. He later was awarded a Masters Degree by Indiana University. His Masters Thesis was a study of Adolf Hitler's rise and fall. During his time as an educator, he served in the U S Army as a reservist. Lee was a gifted teacher who challenged his students to reach high goals. He was involved in teaching students who needed special challenges and he enjoyed working on unusual projects that reflected real life situations. His requirements for the work of his students was strict and a good grade required hard work on their part. After retirement Lee continued to substitute teach and he served for a time as a guide at WQED where he enjoyed introducing groups to the workings of the station and especially the sets where Mr. Rogers taped his television shows. He served as a tour guide at the Frick Mansion and Museum where he displayed his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the facility and the Frick Family. Lee loved animals and never turned away a hungry or injured animal. He provided a safe and happy home for many and especially his greyhound dogs. His great sorrow was leaving them behind when his health declined and he could no longer maintain a home. Lee was always known in the neighborhood for his beautiful gardens, exotic plants, and trees in the yard. Periodically, bus tours and visitors would tour his gardens. He was honored by the Western Pennsylvania Garden Clubs by making his garden an official stop during one season. He assisted neighbors and friends with the design of plantings to enhance their properties. Lee was a lover of beauty, teaching and learning. Interment Services will be conducted at the Hebron Church Cemetery on Frankstown Road in Penn Hills Tuesday, February 7, at 11 a.m. Arrangements by SOXMAN FUNERAL HOMES, LTD. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from February 5 to February 6, 2012.
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