Hal Munter, leading Lindsay citizen, dies at 86

One of Lindsay’s most prominent citizens over the last half century, Hal Munter, died on Friday. He was 86.

While Munter may be most known for his contributions to youth and high school sports in the community, he served the community in many areas for more than 50 years ever since he moved to Lindsay in 1960. Among his community work was with the Lindsay Community Theater which he led the effort in forming. So fittingly, a community service for Munter will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Lindsay Community Theater.

“He had an influence on a lot of people,” said Munter’s son, Jeff, who is now a vice principal at Lindsay High. “He’ll be missed by a lot of people, in Lindsay in particular. I’m sure the community will be poorer for not having him around.”

Munter served as the public address announcer for Lindsay High football games for 40 years and also served as the P.A. announcer for the school’s baseball games for more than 20 years. When Lindsay High moved from the Olive Bowl to the on campus Frank Skaden Stadium to play its football games in 1971, Munter led the effort to build the home side bleachers.

He also coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and for 30 years was in charge of the concession stands for youth baseball. “He coached me when I was growing up,” Jeff said.

Because of Jeff’s father’s influence, Jeff went on to coach various sports from the youth to high school levels in Lindsay for 30 years. “His influence I guess is why I coached for 30 years,” Jeff said. 

“Probably the biggest influence he had on me is he loved sports.”

Hal was an avid San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan. “I became the same at about 7-years-old,” Jeff said.

When he moved to Lindsay in 1960, Hal became an active member of the Lindsay Kiwanis Club and served as the club’s secretary treasurer for 20 years. He was also chairman of the club’s charitable foundation, which provided scholarships for students. He received the prestigious Spirit of Kiwanis Award and served as the club’s president and as division lieutenant governor.

Hal served on the Lindsay Community Theater’s Board of Directors and directed and acted in many plays for the organization. He also served as president of the Lindsay High Athletic Boosters and served three terms as a Lindsay School District board member. And he served with Healthy Kids, Healthy Lindsay as well.

Among the community awards he received was being named as the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce Citizen and Man of the Year. He had his wife, Helen, were also chosen to be the Honored Couple for the Orange Blossom Festival.

Jeff said Hal’s work with the Kiwanis was invaluable to the community. “A lot of the projects they’ve done probably wouldn’t have been done,” said Jeff about his father’s leadership.

Hal is survived by his wife, Helen, two sisters, Mimi Farono and Bonnie Rogers, five sons, Paul, Jeff, Steven, Tom and Roger, 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Lindsay Community Theater, the Lindsay Kiwanis Club Charitable Foundation and the Lindsay High Athletic Boosters.

One of Lindsay’s most prominent citizens over the last half century, Hal Munter, died on Friday. He was 86.

While Munter may be most known for his contributions to youth and high school sports in the community, he served the community in many areas for more than 50 years ever since he moved to Lindsay in 1960. Among his community work was with the Lindsay Community Theater which he led the effort in forming. So fittingly, a community service for Munter will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Lindsay Community Theater.

“He had an influence on a lot of people,” said Munter’s son, Jeff, who is now a vice principal at Lindsay High. “He’ll be missed by a lot of people, in Lindsay in particular. I’m sure the community will be poorer for not having him around.”

Munter served as the public address announcer for Lindsay High football games for 40 years and also served as the P.A. announcer for the school’s baseball games for more than 20 years.

When Lindsay High moved from the Olive Bowl to the on campus Frank Skaden Stadium to play its football games in 1971, Munter led the effort to build the home side bleachers.

He also coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and for 30 years was in charge of the concession stands for youth baseball. “He coached me when I was growing up,” Jeff said.

Because of Jeff’s father’s influence, Jeff went on to coach various sports from the youth to high school levels in Lindsay for 30 years. “His influence I guess is why I coached for 30 years,” Jeff said. 

“Probably the biggest influence he had on me is he loved sports.”

Hal was an avid San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan. “I became the same at about 7-years-old,” Jeff said.

When he moved to Lindsay in 1960, Hal became an active member of the Lindsay Kiwanis Club and served as the club’s secretary treasurer for 20 years. He was also chairman of the club’s charitable foundation, which provided scholarships for students. He received the prestigious Spirit of Kiwanis Award and served as the club’s president and as division lieutenant governor.

Hal served on the Lindsay Community Theater’s Board of Directors and directed and acted in many plays for the organization. He also served as president of the Lindsay High Athletic Boosters and served three terms as a Lindsay School District board member. And he served with Healthy Kids, Healthy Lindsay as well.

Among the community awards he received was being named as the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce Citizen and Man of the Year. He had his wife, Helen, were also chosen to be the Honored Couple for the Orange Blossom Festival.

Jeff said Hal’s work with the Kiwanis was invaluable to the community. “A lot of the projects they’ve done probably wouldn’t have been done,” said Jeff about his father’s leadership.

Hal is survived by his wife, Helen, two sisters, Mimi Farono and Bonnie Rogers, five sons, Paul, Jeff, Steven, Tom and Roger, 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Lindsay Community Theater, the Lindsay Kiwanis Club Charitable Foundation and the Lindsay High Athletic Boosters.