Hall of Famer Kim Reser leaves lasting legacy in Springfield parks system

Kim Reser, a 2018 inductee into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, retired from her post as the assistant director of parks for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board at the end of April.

She left quite a legacy.

“Kim’s dedication and commitment to providing exceptional parks and recreation services will be missed,” said Ron Schneider, director of parks for Springfield-Greene County, in a news release. “She is a respected advocate and true professional within the parks and recreation industry on a local, regional and national level. On behalf of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, I wish her the very best in her retirement.”

In 14 years as assistant director, Reser oversaw supervision and management of recreation division programs and facilities. That included accessible recreation, aquatics, family centers and school parks, to name a few.

But tennis is her true passion.

Reser learned to play tennis in Marshall, Missouri before a long career of coaching and service within the game. She played at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri before becoming the school’s women’s tennis head coach.

She also served as both a staff member and volunteer for the USTA Missouri Valley. She was the director of adult programs and championships for four years. She then spent 25 years as a volunteer, including a decade as part of the USTA Missouri Valley’s Board of Directors.

She also was a USTA official and a line judge for Springfield Lasers’ matches, USTA Pro Circuit events and local events. She has served on the following national committees: USTA Leagues, USTA Parks and USTA Awards.

“She was unbelievably dedicated to parks,” said Mallory Weber, who worked under Reser for the last five years at Springfield-Greene County Parks. “She cared greatly about tennis, but really, all parks, all neighborhoods. She really put the good of the people in the community first. It was really inspiring to watch someone so passionate about what they did and how much good they did for a community.

“Kim would do anything, from helping run a tournament, even when she was an assistant director. If we were short-staffed, she would be willing to come in and work one of our toddler-aged classes. Nothing was beneath her, and she was always trying to help tennis continue to grow.”

Weber—who has followed in Reser’s footsteps by serving on a USTA National committee—said Reser led by example when a need arose.