Herman Maisel



Herman Martin Maisel (November 26, 1925 - October 2, 2007), a native of Mobile, Alabama, was known around the nation as a prominent real estate developer and an all-around businessman.

Early life
Maisel was born to his immigrant parents I.B. and Rebecca Maisel on November 26, 1925. He grew up in the Grove of Mobile, Alabama. The area where he grew up was and still is a run down neighborhood. Herman attended Old Shell Road School and Murphy High School. He graduated from Murphy in 1942 where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. Not old enough to enlist in the Marines, Maisel went to work in the Mobile Shipyards. Once he reached the age of 18, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater where he was nearly killed by a Japanese hand grenade. Several pieces of shrapnel entered the back of his body. He was taken to a military hospital in Guam, where he would be safe. He was later given an Honorary Discharge and was awarded with a Purple Heart. After returning to the United States of America, Herman entered the University of Alabama where he was named an All-Star in intramural football, baseball, and basketball. While in Graduate School at the University, Maisel coached the freshman football and basketball teams. After graduation, in 1952, he became assistant football coach and head basketball coach at Murphy High School. In 2000, Maisel's contributions to high school sports were recognized by the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, of which Maisel was an active member.

Real estate
After coaching, Maisel entered real estate and, in 1971, acquired the pre-existing real-estate company Staples, Pake & Griffin Real Estate. The company, renamed Herman Maisel & Company, became "one of the top 100 shopping center developers in the United States with holdings in fourteen states". Maisel also was-cofounder of the Mobile Greyhound Park.

Religion
Maisel actively participated in conservative Judaism. He attended the Ahavas Chesed Synagogue and served as president for several years.

Family
Herman was married to Freida Gutlow Maisel for 60 years. Freida gave birth to two sons (Ivan and Elliot) and one daughter (Kathy Bronstein). Herman had 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way at the time of his death. His son Ivan is a senior writer for ESPN he has also written for Sports Illustrated in past.