April 18, 1953 - December 22, 2009

He developed a passion for music early on

Max Paul Schwennsen, born in Seattle on April 18, 1953 passed away in his hometown on December 22, 2009.

Max grew up in the View Ridge neighborhood of Seattle and graduated from Roosevelt High School. He enjoyed boy scout activities with his father and brother and attained eagle scout status. He developed a passion for music early on and taught himself to play the guitar and saxophone.

Max spent a year at Central Washington State University studying music and anthropology, but decided to leave to pursue a career in music. In 1973 he traveled around the country and world in Doug Kershaw’s cajun band as a guitar player and singer and moved back to the northwest in 1975 where he formed the bands Slidin’ Jake and Scargill.

In 1978 he married Victoria Murtishaw and moved to Bellingham, WA. In 1979 their first daughter, Charlotte, was born. Three years later the family moved to Florida where Max played in and wrote music for the One-Eyed Jacks, the Atlanta Rhythm Section and the Max-Nix band. In 1986 the family moved back to Seattle and in 1987 his second daughter, Elaina, was born. Max began working at the family-owned Universal Repair Shop with his father and brother and continued to write songs and play music professionally. He played with Marilee Rush, The Atlantics, Star Anna and his bands Waxy Maxy and Max and Johnny.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years Victoria, daughters Charlotte and Elaina, mother, Florence, father Robert, brother Robert Jr., sister Kirby, nephews Steve, Howard and Marshall and niece Jill.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 10 at 2 pm at Sand Point Community Church-United Methodist: 4710 NE 70th, Seattle, WA 98115.

Memorial

Looking into the portals of eternity

Looking into the portals of eternity teaches that the brotherhood of man is inspired by God's word; Then all prejudice of race vanishes away.

George Washington

Just as the Wave Cannot Exist

Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me. It is an uncomfortable doctrine which the true ethics whisper into my ear. You are happy, they say; therefore you are called upon to give much.

Albert Schweitzer