Max B. Greenwald

January 13, 1936 – September 24, 2016

Max B. Greenwald, 80, left this world on September 24, 2016 following a courageous battle with cancer.  Max lived his life to the fullest.  He was a public servant and champion of his fellow man, having worked as a social worker for the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Jewish Community Center, the California Youth Authority and Department of Corrections, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.  He also served 38 years in the United States Army and National Guard, retiring as a Colonel.  Max and his loving wife and constant companion, Carol, travelled the globe with gusto.  There was always a new adventure on the horizon, the last of which occurred in August 2016 when they took two of their grandchildren on an African safari.  In addition, they hosted over 20 foreign students in their home and became lifelong friends with them and their families.  Max’s personality filled the room.  He had a great sense of humor.  He loved to cook (and eat) and plan parties for friends, family, and coworkers.  Following his retirement in 2011, his daily presence on a bench at the Central Bark dog park in Irvine, attracted both canine and human admirers.

Max was born on January 13, 1936, in Wilkes Barre, PA to Louis and Sadie Greenwald.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wilkes University and his master’s degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University in New York City.  Max moved to California in 1963 with his first wife, Rita.  His beautiful daughter, Linda was born in 1965.  In 1975, Max remarried the love of his life, Carol, who was at his side for 41 years until the moment of his death.   Max and Carol then raised both Linda and Carol’s son, Greg.   Max leaves his wife, Carol Greenwald, his daughter, Linda Lipka (Dan), stepson Greg Quigley (Elizabeth), grandchildren Molly and Destiny Lipka, Robert Quigley, step grandchildren Nathan, Samantha, and Thomas Butcher, sister Barbara Weisblum, nephew Andrew Weisblum (Keri), and cousins Marian Barr, Phyllis Greenwald, Marilyn Bravman, and  Muriel Schoenholtz.

Max’s funeral was held on September 29th. (Brown Colonial Mortuary, Santa Ana, CA) The family will hold a Celebration of Max’s Life in the future.  In lieu of flowers, Max was desirous of contributions in his name to:  the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at University of California Irvine; Chao Cancer Center, University of California Irvine; and HIAS an organization that helps refugees (P.O. Box 97077, Washington, D.C. 20090-7077).

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:  WILL BE HELD, NOVEMBER 5th, PLACE AND TIME PENDING...

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