50 years of massage at the YMCA - Green Bay Press Gazette

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Massage therapist Norbert Rosenow, 82, sits in one of the workout classrooms at the Greater Green Bay Downtown YMCA. Rosenow, who is blind, has worked as a massage therapist at the downtown YMCA for 50 years and still gives massages there three days a week.(Photo: Adam Wesley/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo


GREEN BAY - "Hey, Norb!"

For the last 50 years, that's been a loud, friendly greeting often overheard at the Greater Green Bay Downtown YMCA.

Norbert "Norb" Rosenow, 82, started working at the Y as a men's masseur in 1967. Fifty years later, he remains a staple in the gym's social life, especially for longtime members.

During that time he's given thousands of back and full body massages, including a few to famous athletes and celebrities.

If the lengthy career isn't impressive enough, Rosenow has done it all while being blind. Retinitis dispigmentosa caused him to lose most of his eyesight in his late 20s.

He said it was around that time he knew he had to find a steady job that he could do well despite his circumstances. He found that in massage therapy.

"I've always called this my second home," he said. "I never got sick of it where, you know, sometimes they say, 'Oh, boy, I've got to work on Monday morning.' Well, I've never had that problem."

His clients have included comedian Rodney Dangerfield and several Green Bay Packers, but his favorites are the local members he's gotten close to over the years. Even as his schedule and workload has scaled back, a group of five or so have remained loyal customers, including Kevin Gerke.

Gerke said one of the best things about Rosenow is seeing him light up when he knows someone by their voice.

"I think there's just something so special in that," he said — adding to the notion that perhaps more important than the occasional massage is the unique personality and conversational element he brings.

Gerke met Rosenow when he joined the YMCA 25 years ago. He's since moved to Sturgeon Bay, but travels back almost every week just to see his favorite YMCA employee.

"We all look out for Norb. He's someone we're all invested in," he said. "I mean, I drive all that way to get a massage. He’s an icon, and he's just so fun to talk to."

In the beginning — on top of doing up to 10 massages a day, 120 a month — Rosenow walked to and from work by himself even in the winter.

"I just had to hope there were no open pits around," he joked. He would also run 3 miles on the upstairs track.

Although the job can be physically demanding, he said he's never really felt sore or tired, simply because he can't — it's his job to help others who are sore and tired feel better.

Nowadays, his wife Delores drives him, but she admits that didn't necessarily go down without a fight.

"He's the most independent, determined person I've ever known," she said. "For a while, he was still cooking full meals and putting up the Christmas lights on the house even though I told him he probably shouldn't. ... I know there's a God, with all the things Norb has done and went through."

Staff at the YMCA are inspired by Rosenow's work ethic and perseverance. Amy Schaubel, executive director of the Downtown Y, said it was especially evident during the facility's recent renovation. Almost every day, she said, there were new routes to get around the construction, and employees and members alike were amazed by his ability to know where to go.

He retired five years ago, only to be welcomed back just a few months later. He said he was happy there is still a place for him because getting out into the world and having a purpose is his passion.

These days, Rosenow works part time. While he's hesitant to discuss retirement, he said he knows it's bound to happen sometime, maybe soon. He said he'd like to make it to Dec. 5, his employment anniversary — although he did not say what year that might happen.

Schaubel said Rosenow is a piece of YMCA history and having him work while he can is honoring that heritage.

As for what he'll take away from his time at the Y, he said it's value of having a job you love.

[email protected] 'Like' Shelby Le Duc on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @pgshelbyleduc

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