John Concannon, Publicity
As this month’s IMGA Person of the Month it is my pleasure to present Max Spencer. Whether it is the easy going, laid back demeanor on the course or his unique gait while walking the streets of Ironwood, Max is a familiar member of IMGA.
He was born on January 10, 1935 in Rocky Ford, Colorado which Max mentioned is the cantaloupe capital of the world; I didn’t know that! While attending Clover Park High School in Tacoma, Washington, Max was president of the Debate Club and the Spanish Club and was a member of the state champion golf team during his junior year. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Max attended Oklahoma State University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in ‘56 followed by his Master’s Degree in ‘57, and his Doctorate degree in ‘60.He was president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha and was awarded a National Science Foundation award which helped fund his education. While in school, he met and married his wife of over 60 years, Sherry. That union produced three children, a daughter and two sons, all of who reside in the Seattle area.
After college, he joined the Army and was stationed at the Army Ballistics Research Labs in Aberdeen, MD where he, after several people were killed while testing a new rifle, redesigned the bolt action of the M14 rifle, thus saving the program from cancellation. He also helped develop high velocity, armor piercing shells that were capable of penetrating 30 inch steel armor.
After the Army, Max went to work for Boeing Corp, first in Wichita, Kansas and then in Seattle, Washington. During his career with Boeing, Max worked on several major aircraft programs including the 747, 757, 737-500 and the 737-700, ending his career as Director of Technology for Boeing’s Commercial Airplane Co.
Max was always the family man. He was involved with the YMCA, serving as Northwest Region (‘66-‘68) Chief and National Chief (‘97-‘98) of the YMCA Indian Guides program. Max and his family were very involved in boating. They owned a number of boats and ended up with a 50 foot “ship.” The family belonged to two yacht clubs, the Elk Yacht Club and the Hat Island Yacht Club and spent many, many, happy hours boating in the area. As a matter of fact, after Max and Sherry moved to Sun Lakes in ‘93, they spent many summers on their boat in Washington. While contemplating retirement, Max had become interested in fifth wheeling and was on the verge of purchasing a unit when a visit to Sun Lakes ended all of that. Max has always been an avid golfer and immediately joined Ironwood and Oakwood courses. He has been a member of the IMGA since its inception. In addition to golf, Max enjoys hiking and for years was a member of the Sun Lakes Hiking Club. Nowadays he hikes South Mountain frequently.
Max and Sherry are avid cruisers, having taken two dozen cruises all over the world. When Max isn’t hiking, golfing or cruising, he works out at Sun Lakes Fitness Center several times a week and they fill some of their free time playing bridge.
To say the least, Max has had a very full life both during his working days and in retirement. We wish you and Sherry many more years of exciting life in Sun Lakes.