MAXWELL EDWARD KETTNER

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MAXWELL EDWARD KETTNER October 9, 1920 - July 3, 2008 Following a lengthy illness, Max Kettner died peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by family, on Thursday, July 3, at Misericordia Place nursing home, Winnipeg. Max was predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Chai Feige, and by his sister, Celia. He leaves to mourn his wife of 65 years, Ruth; his brother Joe (Ruth); his children, Faye (Garry), Billy (Jane), Joel (Charlotte) and Bruce (Linda); his grandchildren, Marni (Grant), Rachel (John), Katherine (Bryan), Amy, Libby (Darius), Juliet, Robert, Michelle (Joel), Beth (David), Joanne (Matt), Heather, Madeleine, Ben, Jacob, Ashlyn, Devon and Jace; his great-grand-children, Isanne, Maya, Noa, Jack, Lucas, Emma, Nathan and Alice, and many other family and friends. Max was born in Lvov, Poland on October 9, 1920. He immigrated to Canada at the age of four with his mother and sister to rejoin his father who had established a junkyard and home on Jarvis Avenue in the north end of Winnipeg, where Max grew up, worked and attended school. Max did well at school, and was rewarded with an Isbister scholarship, enabling him to attend the University of Manitoba where he obtained his first degree in Physics. He joined the army and was posted in Kingston from 1942 until 1945. He persuaded Ruth Wiseman, the love of his life, to join him there where they were married in 1942. Following a short return to Winnipeg, Max and Ruth moved to Minneapolis where he obtained his PhD and began his lifetime career teaching Physics. After he accepted a job offer from the University of Manitoba, they returned to Winnipeg to raise their four children at 84 St. Cross Street, a home full of fond memories of warm family life. Although Max gained many new interests throughout his life, he was first and foremost a family man, very attentive to providing guidance and support - especially in achieving the best possible results in school and careers for all the children. But family life wasn't all serious; memories are full of his practical jokes, games and competitions (physical and mental), family road trips, picnics, parties, music, Sunday dinners and great cooking. In addition to work, family life and leisure, Max and his wife were active in the community at many levels, including parent-teacher associations, the anti-nuclear movement and support for other progressive and socialist political causes, resulting in a threatening visit while in Minneapolis during the McCarthy era. Although he considered himself non-religious, Max felt part of the Jewish community and supported Israel. He served on the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission from 1971 to 1978. After 30 years of teaching at the University of Manitoba, Max retired at the age of 65 to pursue many of the varied interests and activities which he had throughout his life which included reading classical literature, listening to music - especially classical and opera, discussing current affairs, attending concerts and theatre, playing bridge, gourmet cooking (or simple barbecuing), gardening, renovation and repair projects, private tutoring of family and friends, but most of all, enjoying time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren - and welcoming them all, anytime day or night. Max's life was characterized by many hours of study and hard work, thinking and caring a lot about many things, serious and intense problem-solving (more often for others than himself!), but he also learned how to relax and enjoy himself, whether at the lake cottage in Winnipeg Beach and later, Willow Island or in their recreational vehicle in Arizona in the winter, especially after a glass or two (rarely more) of Scotch whiskey or a dry Martini. Although Max had disdain for fashion, flamboyance and expense (taking a taxi was rarely acceptable) and was always aware of his past poverty, he did learn to enjoy many finer things in life and he was very generous with his time, money and efforts to help solve a problem or give advice for family or friends (sometimes without being requested!). Max had a shy and quiet disposition, and was not one for small talk. He did not hesitate, however, to rise and speak at public or family functions and always spoke his mind articulately and candidly, without concern for the popularity of his view. He could be stubborn and formidable, but he was also charming and handsome, especially when his knitted brow of serious concern gave way to his wide and warm smile. We will love him, miss him and remember him always, thank him for all he has taught us and given us, and bid him good-bye with joy and satisfaction of a full life lived well. Medical science and medical care enabled Max to live many years more than expected, especially with the number of serious medical conditions to contend with. He was always appreciative of that care, one of the reasons for choosing to donate his body to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba. On his and our behalf the family thanks all of the physicians, nurses and other health care providers and workers of Manitoba's health care system, including primary and home care, St. Boniface Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Johnson Memorial Hospital (Gimli), Riverview and Misericordia Health Centres, and Misericordia Place nursing home. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at the Centennial Concert Hall, on the Piano Nobile at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation Vascular and Stroke Research Fund, 409 Tache Avenue, Room D 1003.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 08, 2008