IN MEMORIAM: DICK ZAUSNER he Long Island tennis community lost one of its gentlest souls and impactful persons this summer, as Richard (Dick) Zausner passed away at the age of
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87. Zausner was one of the most renowned and longesttenured members of the local tennis community here, running the Port Washington Tennis Academy (PWTA) for the last 40 years. Born in Manhattan in 1934, Dick played and excelled at many sports growing up, and attended the Bronx School of Science and then Syracuse University before serving two years in the United States Navy. His father, Hy, founded PWTA and upon his retirement, Dick took over. The club flourished and soon became home to some of the country’s best junior tennis players, including John and Patrick McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, Peter Fleming and Tracy Austin. “Devastated by the loss of Dick Zausner who owned/ran Port Washington Tennis Academy,” Austin tweeted. “Like a second father to me during my career. Dick mentored SO many to successful college scholarships and lives.” Patrick McEnroe added: “Dick Z was the man who made us love going to PWTA…I have such fond memories of growing up and learning the game there.” While Zausner was proud of the tennis champions he and the club produced, his mission was always to have an impact beyond the tennis court. “The accomplishments of the kids outside of tennis are certainly more significant to me than the pros we’ve helped produce,” he said in 2020. “I certainly don’t give us 100 percent credit for that, but it’s just very rewarding to see that your hard work has paid off.” He supported many local Port Washington charities including Port Washington Youth Activities, The Children’s Center, Parent Resource Center, Police Athletic League, and numerous other organizations. In 2016, Zausner was honored with the Vitas Gerulaitis “For the Love of Tennis” Achievement Award in 2016, and elected to the USTA Eastern Hall of Fame in 2017. Dick is survived by his son, David Fischbach, his brother Martin Zausner, his sister Susan Kominski, his brother Michael Zausner, his nieces Madison Kominski and Isabella Kominski, and his nephew Nicholas Kominski. Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife Madeline Zausner and sister-in-law, Adrienne Zausner. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations in Dick’s honor can be made to the Port Washington Tennis Academy, 100 Harbor Road, Port Washington, NY 11050.
LITennisMag.com • September/October 2021 • Long Island Tennis Magazine
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