Story about Max

I met Max at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina in 1973. I was a young Marine just completing training in avionics. I believe I met Max or one of the navigators he led at the base chapel. He always attended the Sunday service as a way to connect with people. I still recall him sitting in chapel memorizing scripture. It seems he had two goals Sunday morning. Meet people he could potentially disciple and memorize scripture.

For a season, Max and I would eat breakfast together at a local restaurant. One of the lessons I learned from Max had to do with leading small groups. He would attempt to get everyone in the group to share something. He told me that people will remember the words they speak, so get them to say something. Over the years that has really stuck with me. When I lead groups, I always try to do that, its partly so they remember but likely more that they feel a part of the group.
At Cherry Point the navigators would play a lot of soccer, almost every week. I vividly remember having games with other Navigator groups. Extremely competitive whole hearted games. One of the players I practiced with a lot was Bob Sites. I saw him in one of the pictures on this site. I don’t recall Max playing a lot. He was more like the coach when we competed with other teams.
I would get transferred to Beaufort South Carolina (1975) and my time with Max would end. I’m in one of the photos in the picture pages. It was a blessing knowing Max and he made a lasting impact on my life.

I would complete 20 years in the Marine Corps and settle near my hometown in Seattle Wa. I would spend 28 years as a college faculty at North Seattle College in the electronics dept. I am married with 2 adult kids and 2 grand children. I retired and completed a mission to Nepal in March of this year (2024)

-Tim F