The
two things I remember him for most were his integrity and his ingenuity.
He was such an honest man -- he never told a lie in his life. I don't
think it ever crossed his mind to do anything underhanded or mean.
That he was my hero is an understatement. He was such an incredible
role model and the yardstick for integrity that many many people measured
themselves against. And, he could fix anything or make a new one from
scratch. He was always inventing things -- finding a new and novel
way to do something. He was probably a genius, really. He loved Mom
enormously and was so sad when she got sick.
-- Brother-in-law,
Carl Wittrock
Great memories....
He was a wonderful man and treated his family the best ever. I never
heard him say an unkind word to anybody.
-- Sister-in-law,
Rita Forman
We shall always
remember Max as a kind, loving, cheerful, honest, hardworking man
and so very proud of his family.
-- Son-in-law,
Bob Lawson
I'm proud to have
known Max for over 35 years and have really enjoyed being a part of
his family. He was a genuinely nice person - a man for whom no one
could ever have a bad thought. Everyone who ever knew him liked him
a lot. He had a charisma that seemed attract a group of friends to
follow him wherever he went.
I first met Max
when I started dating Elaine. He always made me feel welcome when
I would visit. I'll never forget the night that I nervously walked
up to their house to ask Max for Elaine's hand in marriage. I was
greeted with a big smile, a hearty handshake and a "welcome to
the family".
Through the years
I enjoyed family get-togethers with Max and Mildred. We always enjoyed
good food, good wine and warm friendship. I still remember the heated
debates over world affairs that would follow Thanksgiving and Christmas
dinners. I fondly remember the week I spent with Max after my car
broke down near Indio, on the way back from "The River".
I spent the week playing with Max's ham radio set and playing snooker
with him at the Cathedral City Elk's Club.
I enjoyed the
stories of Max's youth -- especially how he and his friends hopped
freights to California and other destinations. I remember the stories
of his Army days, during and after the war. He supplemented his income,
when stuck in the Philippines, by betting that he could role dice
and hit two through twelve consecutively. He proved that he still
could do that on my dining room floor!
Max was a mechanical
genius. I'll never forget the first time I saw his garage door opener
in Downey in 1966. I don't know if it was the first garage door opener
to exist, but it was the first one I ever saw. It was something
to behold -- with its wooden pulleys and a washing machine motor.
Another memorable invention was Max's shooting gallery. It had wooden
ducks crossing the gallery on a belt (driven by a "rescued"
electric motor). To keep score, if you shot a duck with a BB, a little
lever on the fallen duck would hit another lever that, in turn, would
toggle a set of two-decade wooden counter wheels to the next number.
We would spend hours in his patio in Cathedral City shooting BBs at
that shooting gallery.
Max's ingenious
creations are too numerous to mention here. The garage door opener,
the shooting gallery, earthquake detectors, as well as his ham radio
electronic keyer levers and antenna control units stand out in my
memory of the most mechanically gifted man I have ever personally
known.
I'm proud to have
been part of Max's life. He has been an inspiration to me on how to
lead an ethical, family-oriented life and I look forward to seeing
him again when it's my turn to join him.
-- Sister-in-law,
Margie Wittrock
I remember your
dad as a quiet gentleman in contrast to the "noisy" Wittrocks.
He was always kind and thoughtful to another "in-law". I
know you will miss him.
-- Mildred's
Cousin, Kay Buelt Davis
We were very sorry
to hear of your dad's death. We never met but from the things you
have said of his strength in dealing with your mom's illness, I can
tell he was a strong but gentle man.
-- Mildred's
Cousin, Rita Molletta and husband, Joe Mallet
Max was the tall,
silent type, soft spoken and always pleasant when we visited. You
didn't have to know him very long to realize what a brilliant mind
he had. He many times showed us his very clever inventions, many that
were later commercialized by others.
The first one we remember was his garage door opener. He had a lock
on a telephone pole in the alley (when they lived on Samoline in Downey).
He would stop his work truck, insert and turn a key in the lock and
when he got to the garage the door was open. He had also wired the
coffee pot to begin brewing so coffee was ready automatically at breakfast
time.
In Cathedral City when we visited one time Max excused himself because
the mail had come. Joe asked how he knew and he showed him his light
panel that alerted him when certain things happened, i.e., the mail
was in the box.
Your parents were wonderful dancers and we had gone to the Elks Club
in Cathedral City with them. They went each Friday evening for dinner
and to dance until they were well into their 70s. They were such a
handsome couple. As a young couple we were in awe of them. They had
three beautiful children and were such a nice family and well respected
in the community.
-- Second Cousin
Juanita (Niter) Pappe Sutterfield
It is so hard
to lose a parent. When that parent is also your hero, the loss is
just indescribable. Even though he will constantly be with you in
heart and thought, you will long to hear his voice. Sharing such remarkable
memories (as you have with us) will eventually replace tears with
laughter, joy, and amazement at all he has accomplished in just one
lifetime. What a wonderful legacy of love! It's also sort of nice
to realize that now, no matter where you are, you can always share
the same beautiful sunrise or sunset with your dad. You are in our
prayers.
-- Brother-in-law
Cletus Wittrock and wife, Loretta
Max will always
be remembered as very kind and loving person and hard worker. He will
always be remembered by everyone....
-- Second Cousin
Sandra Pappe Terell
I know that it
is very difficult, but what a blessing that not only was [Max] ready
and passed peacefully, but that you had a chance to visit with him
and say good-bye. I know that he was special and that you will miss
him deeply, but hang on to and embrace all the wonderful memories,
and let those memories bring you comfort, for in that way he will
always be with you....
-- Daughter's
friend, Ron Dodge
Never having met
your dad, I know of him only through your eyes and words. And what
a fine person he must have been for you to speak of him with such
reverence and love. I have come to believe we go on in the warm hearts
and loving memories of those left. Your dad lives on and ever so fully.
-- Cousin George
Edward Pappe's widow, Dawn Pappe
I was sorry to
hear of your dad's passing. Hopefully he did not suffer.... Your dad
is gone but not the memories and he will always be with you in your
heart.
-- Niece Brenda
Wittrock Porter
Thinking of you
during this difficult time, may God give you peace as you remember
all the wonderful times shared with your father.... I still remember
when your Mom and Dad came to Oklahoma City for family visits. We
always had such nice times with your parents - both tall and slender,
immaculately dressed and very nice.
-- Cousin's Bill
Jersak's widow, Nell Jersak
I have such wonderful
memories of Max and Mildred's visit with us at our lake home. You
are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find in all your memories
a constant source of comfort.
-- Niece Carla
Wittrock Hathaway
So sorry to hear
of the passing of Uncle Max. I have very good memories of visits fro
Uncle Max and Aunt Mildred. I always felt very comfortable around
Uncle Max seemed to have such a nice, quiet strength about him with
a twinkle in his eyes that made me think he was a lot of fun.
-- Mildred Pappe,
on their Golden Wedding Anniversary
Max, Sweetheart,
I am so happy I met you when I did (at the tender age of sixteen!).
Fifty-six years have gone by all too fast. We have had a wonderful
life together and we're very fortunate to have raised a wonderful
family. I hope we have many more happy years together....
You have been a loving and devoted husband and I love you very
much.
To
all our thoughtful friends and family who expressed their deepest
sympathy to us at this sad time and had such wonderful things
to say about our dear father -- Thank You.