For more than half a century, Wilbert "Ah Ping" Lee gave his heart and soul to the Pauoa sports community.

Yesterday, the community returned the favor to Lee, 71, who is retiring after 52 years as Pauoa Athletic Director for the Police Activities League.

"I never thought it would be like this," Lee said. "I thought it would be just a small gathering."

Hundreds of well-wishers — including high-ranking law enforcement, law makers and entertainers — flocked to Booth District Park to honor the volunteer called by friends as the "one-man athletic department" and "super hero."

"Super heroes today are also those who raise our children and teach them citizenship, sportsmanship, honor, integrity ... You are truly one of them," said U.S. Attorney for Hawai'i Ed Kubo, who presented Lee with the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Lee has mentored countless coaches and thousands of neighborhood children. Some notable athletes included Mike Lum, Paul Brown, Nahaku Brown, Chad Owens and Derrick Low.

"Mike Lum used to be from Pauoa Valley," Lee said. "He was 10 years old when he came down. I remember he was pretty good size already."

In 1955 as a 20-year-old, Lee organized the Pauoa Athletic Club to give the community kids an opportunity to enjoy baseball as he once did.

Lee also paid for equipment out of his own pocket. Longtime friend Vince Manantan recalled Lee giving a boy a baseball glove, cap and shoes after the kid couldn't afford equipment.

"He's got a big heart," Manantan said. "He's so generous."

Lee's duties included coaching, taking care of registration, organizing fundraisers, securing sponsors, prepping and cleaning equipment and heading meetings with parents and coaches. He also helps maintain the baseball field, and keeps Booth District Park safe at night.

"From young kid time, Mr. Lee was always here," said Adele "Pee Wee" Ornelles, one of the organizers of the event. "Now that I'm a mom, I bring my children (Marcus, 12, and Matthew, 9) to him. He's developed a program where we have accomplished a lot. We have a lot of photos to prove he has developed more than 1,000 kids in the community."

In 1969, the Pauoa Athletic Club's 13- and 14-year-old P.O.N.Y. baseball team won the World Series championship. It was the first time a team from Hawai'i won a baseball world title.

Lee, who lives a few houses from Booth District Park, said he plans to retire after the baseball banquet next week. He will remain as a consultant to the league.

"Once you start the program, it's hard to leave it," said Lee, who retired from the Board of Water Supply in 1992 after 37 years. "I'll try to help them get organized better.

"I'm going to relax, or try to," he said.

Lee will be succeeded by baseball administrator Gordon Furtado and basketball administrator Scott Cambra. Manantan will also assist.

"No one can fill his shoes," Furtado said. "I plan on carrying on what he started. It won't be the one-man show as it was previously. I've had parents that approached me and who are willing to help me."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.