Fred Coombs

Fred M. Coombs was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2000.

A native of Morgantown, W.Va., Coombs was born in 1911 and graduated from Morgantown High School. He attended West Virginia University from 1929 to 1933 during the Great Depression, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He later accepted a scholarship to the National Recreation School in New York City while working at the Madison Square Boys Club. He later earned a Master of Education degree from New York University in 1935 and a Doctor of Education degree in 1957.

Coombs began his career in public recreation in Greenwich, Conn., where he served as assistant superintendent of recreation for four years before entering military service. As a lieutenant colonel, he served in the First Special Service Force during World War II. Following the war, he joined the faculty at Penn State University in 1946 in the Recreation and Parks Curriculum.

Over a 26-year career at Penn State, Coombs helped expand the program from 15 students to more than 400 and led the development of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in areas such as Recreation and Park Administration, Commercial Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, and Interpretive Naturalist. He retired in 1972 as professor and chair of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Coombs also contributed extensively to local and statewide recreation planning efforts. He served on the State College Park and Recreation Board and the Swimming Pool Authority, and he played a key role in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Committee and the Pennsylvania Comprehensive Recreation Plan.

His numerous honors included the American Parks and Recreation Society Distinguished Fellow Award, the Professional Honor Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Honor Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Park Executives, and the National Physical Fitness Award from the United States Jaycees.

Coombs passed away in 2010 at the age of 99.