MARSHALL — He had an office in Marshall’s downtown for many years. But even after he retired, LeRoy Affolter was an active part of his community, local residents said.

LeRoy “Doc” Affolter died Tuesday, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He was 93.

Affolter had an optometry practice on Third Street in Marshall for 48 years. Over that time, Affolter got to know many Marshall residents and families, said Mark Patzer.

“He remembered and cared for all of his patients,” Patzer said.

Local residents said Affolter had a wealth of knowledge about Marshall history, and liked to chat with people. Marshall resident and downtown business owner John Full said Affolter would sometimes stop by his store.

“He was known for visiting. He’d visit your ear off,” Full said. “He was a nice man,” Full added, and often had good points of view.

“He cared a lot about the downtown,” Full said.

“He was certainly an engaged citizen,” Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes said of Affolter. “He was a regular at attending City Council meetings.” Byrnes said Affolter also made sure to attend meetings for major public projects like street reconstruction. One example was the highway project on U.S. 59 (Main Street), that also changed the look of downtown.

“When the Main Street project was going on, he was at every one of those meetings,” Byrnes said.

Patzer said Affolter was an active volunteer in the community, and served on committees at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they both attended.

“He certainly always had an opinion, but he was always well-prepared. He did his homework,” Patzer said.

Patzer said it was also good to hear Affolter’s knowledge of local history. “We lose touch with history,” he said, but Affolter didn’t. “And even at 93, he was sharp.”

Services for Affolter will be at 11 a.m. on Dec. 1, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 30 at Hamilton Funeral Home, and will continue at the church one hour prior to services.