Max McWhirter

Max was born in Mountainair, New Mexico, October 1920. He had a sister, Donna Gail, who was four years older. He spent his summers helping on his grandmother's farm in House, New Mexico. It his early teens his mother passed and he and his father moved into the Shaffer Hotel. Later he attended and graduated from NMMI in Roswell, New Mexico. He worked in the family hardware store, saving money to go to college and attended UNM graduating in 1944. At that time he received his commission in the Navy and married Eleanor Humphreys of Raton, New Mexico. He served on the USS - LSM 137 in the Pacific Theater. After WW II he worked at the School of Mines in Socorro, New Mexico doing research on thunderstorm physics and cloud seeding. Then he moved to Albuquerque as he had a new job at Sandia Labs. He worked there for 28 years in a division that tested shock and vibration of metal for rockets and missiles. He retired in 1978. He and Elly were active members at First Presbyterian Church of Albuquerque for many years. He taught Sunday school, was an elder and an active member in Round-Up, a family group. Max is survived by his daughter, Beth of Walnut Creek and his sister-in-law, Mary Jo Humphreys of Phoenix, and her daughter Kay Manahan and her husband, David, and their daughters, Kathleen, and Erin. He is preceded in death by his wife, Elly in 2010 and his stepmother, Corona and sister, Donna Gail. A Memorial service will be held at Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 2:00 p.m. at La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE. Memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Albuquerque, 215 Locust St NE or a charity of your choice.