Hans Stierle was a resident of Vashon at one time, loving both the island and its residents. While living on Vashon, he was an engaged citizen, including contributing articles to The Beachcomber.

He was many things to tens of thousands of people, among them good friends Sigi Schmid, Eric Wynalda Pele and Landon Donovan. Hans and four other individuals created the most successful soccer league in America and it remains strong today. The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) was launched in 1964., The motto was: “Every child plays regardless of skill level.”

Hans served the AYSO from 1964 to 1976. He designed the current logo and, in 1991, he was named in Soccer America Magazine as one “20 Men of Influence.”

Surviving his passing are his wife, Christel, whom he wed on October 20, 1962, and children, Paul (wife Elizabeth), Kurt, and Heidi (husband Mike), six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Hans enjoyed sharing his marketing expertise with his grandchildren as they would sit beside him in his office and create innocent works of art – an activity which he adored watching.

His children enjoyed viewing together their favorite sport of soccer and the house would rumble with laughter and sometimes screams of disapproval when a ref made a bad call. Regardless, they would sit closely in a small room with a big TV and watch Major League Soccer, Premier League and World Cup games.

Hans was drafted into the Army in 1953 where he soon became the player/coach/manager of the 62nd AAA Battalion soccer team. As a result of this team’s success, they were invited to tryouts for the US Olympic Team.

Hans was inducted into the soccer National Hall of Fame in 1996.