The MAX factor

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Max was one of my closest friends throughout my later years of high school. I really got to know Max in the 10^th grade, my first year of high school hockey. He was one of the “older kids” that the young kids moving up always feared. It didn’t take long for me to learn that he was not what we may think of the older kids. He was a genuinely kind, caring, passionate friend to everyone. Max was the kind of friend that I looked up to, he was always looking out for me and was always there for me whenever I needed him. There always seemed to be a page in his book that we could all use.

I remember after every practice we would hang out in the locker room for hours, showering and listening to music. We would go fishing, take a ride out to Grandpa Jack’s to listen to same stories we had heard 100 times before, but they always seemed to change. Or, we would just grab some coffee and drive around and find something to do. There was never a dull moment no matter what we did. Max always had that new song that he found that he has been dying to play for the rest of the boys and he always had that fishing picture from his latest adventure on Lake of the Woods he has been waiting for the perfect time to show off. Max was always a phone call away and ready to do anything no matter what it was. You need help loading something up, you’re going out fishing and need a buddy, need someone to go get some lunch with, you just call Max and he would be there as soon as he could, no matter what it was.  I am very grateful to have had the chance to share endless memories with Max. They are the memories that I will value and cherish forever. He has truly touched and blessed my life in every way possible.

therinklive.com
September 11, 2019 Written by. Mick Hatten

www.therinklive.com/2019/09/11/max-foundation-seeks-to-help-kids-on-self-esteem-suicide-prevention/

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Max will always be one of the happiest and friendliest people we have had the pleasure of knowing.   He is the last person we would have thought was struggling inside and our hearts hurt daily with missing him.

Max was a friend to everyone in our family; he treated our youngest son like a little brother and our two girls like little sisters. He and my husband were fishing buddies, best friends and spent hours talking about hunting, fishing and Ranger boats.  Max’s true character came through when hunting and fishing.    He was kind, patient and always wanted to make sure our kids had the best experiences when they were with him. 

On a weekend in the summer of 2017, Max took our son and a friend to our cabin on Little Oak Island for the whole weekend. Mountain Dew’s, frozen pizzas and other snacks packed up, they set off for a “bachelors” weekend on the island. Even though the boys were younger than Max, I knew he would keep them safe. He was so thoughtful that, even though I hadn’t asked, he texted me throughout the weekend to ensure that we knew they were having fun and staying safe. They caught fish, swam and made memories that cannot be replicated.

In the fall, Max would take our girls deer hunting with him and seemed more excited to see them shoot the deer rather than shooting the deer himself. Three years ago he and our oldest daughter were hunting in a stand together. They both saw a doe come in and behind it was a large, 10-point buck. Instead of telling her “This one’s mine.”, Max whispered to her “Take him!”. He gave up a chance at a trophy buck so that my daughter could have that opportunity. He then proceeded to dress the deer and “guide” her home to show off the buck.  He didn’t need the glory – he wanted her to have it.

The same was true when he went hunting with our middle daughter last fall.  They were hunting together, but in different stands. She shot an 8 point buck. Again, Max helped her.  He field dressed the deer for her and then helped her quarter it later than night.  He always went the extra mile. 

We could always count on Max for a good conversation, a friendly smile at the end of a dock and lighting up our family’s times together.  Max was like another member of our family and we approach life differently because of him and our loss.  He gave us memories that cannot ever be taken away and we are all so thankful for our time with Max. Like anyone else who knew him, we just wish we could have more.