Max Burton Scheider

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Andy Chacon on February 4, 2014:

Max Burton Scheider Born January 9, 1929 -- Died January 31, 2014 Max Burton Scheider was born in Toledo, Ohio on 9 January 1929 and was appointed to West Point as a Qualified Alternate. His West Point classmates recall: "In the Company we call him 'Good Old Max,' which is a tribute in itself, for few words, no matter the size, can express the depth and sincerity of these. He is well-mannered and quiet, but his amiable personality is a necessity to any crowd. The day's work here defeats the lesser man, but Max-he was in the gym! Our days here have now run out, but the memory of Max will always be with us." During his cadet days, Max was on the Howitzer Staff all four years; on the Pointer Staff plebe and yearling years; with the Pistol and German Clubs yearling, cow, and first class years; a Cheerleader cow year; and a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation, Max went in the Corps of Engineers and, after completing the Basic Engineers Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, served as a platoon leader in the Engineer Replacement Training Center at Fort Belvoir. He then reported to the 547th Engineer Combat Battalion in Germany, where he served from 1952 to 1955. Max's next assignment was to the University of Illinois where he earned a Master of Science degree in 1956. Then he received orders to the United States Engineer District, Chicago, and served at field construction projects until 1958. In 1959, Max was appointed as Company Commander with the 76th Engineer Construction Battalion in Korea and served as such until 1960. Next he received his appointment as Assistant Professor of Military Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts where he served until 1963. In 1964, Max graduated from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and earned a Masters of Military Art and Sciences degree, as well. He was then ordered to Headquarters, Allied Forces Northern Europe, Kolsaas, Norway, where he programmed NATO infrastructure construction from 1964 to 1967. There he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In his assignment to the Republic of Vietnam during 1967 and 1968, he served as the Executive Officer of the 35th Engineer Construction Group, the Commanding Officer of the 299th Engineer Combat Battalion and as the Executive Officer of the 937th Engineer Combat Group. He was decorated with two Bronze Star Medals (one for valor) for distinguished heroism against an enemy; and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected while participating in aerial flight. [In the picture, bottom row, are Lora Richter, (Carolyn's, daughter), Carolyn, Max; Marcia Scheider, top row, Tim Richter, Gerald Scheider, David Scheider and Robert Scheider, USMA '86] On return to stateside Max received orders to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served from 1968 to 1971. There he received the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Max's next assignment was to the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army where he served from 1971 to 1974. There he received the Legion of Merit Award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Max graduated from the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania with the Nonresident class of 1973. He served from 1974 to 1978 as the Project Manager for the Research and Development programs of the Family of Engineer Construction Equipment and the Universal Engineer Tractor (now the M-9).In 1978 Max was appointed as the Deputy Engineer, New England Engineer Division, and in 1979 accepted his last military assignment as the Division Engineer, a position held until his retirement from the United States Army in 1981. Max retired as a Colonel after a 30-year distinguished career, and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Upon retirement, Max accepted a position with the Ralph M. Parsons Company where he served as a Construction Manager and Project Manager from 1981 to 1991. During that time he worked on the improvement of AMTRAK's Northeast Corridor, the upgrading of air traffic facilities for the FAA, and the extension of Chicago's rapid transit system. When he retired for a second time in 1991, Max and his wife, Joyce, relocated to Austin, Texas, where Joyce passed away in 1995. He subsequently married Carolyn, and they continued to make their home in Austin where Max served as a Mediator for the Austin Dispute Resolution Center Obit from Austin paper: Max Burton SCHEIDER 1929 -- 2014 Max Burton Scheider (Colonel, Ret., U.S. Army) of Austin, Texas, passed away on January 31, 2014. Max was born on January 9, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio to Leah (Clark) and Julius Martin Scheider. Max loved reading. At the age of ten while browsing at the library, he came across a book called West Point Today. He read it and set his sights on West Point and a military career. In 1947 he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in June 1951 and married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Lee Anspach, the next day. During his 30 years of active duty service, Max was assigned to four overseas and six stateside posts. He earned two Masters degrees and graduated from both the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. Max received numerous military medals and awards including the Legion of Merit (one oak leaf cluster) and the Bronze Star Medal with the "V" Device (two oak leaf clusters, Viet Nam). After retirement from active duty Max managed major construction projects for Parsons before retiring a second time in 1991. Then he and Joyce moved to Austin where they enjoyed retired life until Joyce's death in 1995. In 1997, he married Carolyn Joy De Jong-Richter who brought him much love and happiness. Max, a man with curiosity and a strong faith, lived life fully with humor and grace. His wide-ranging interests included mediating at the Austin Dispute Resolution Center, genealogy, traveling, and dancing. Max had no equal and will be greatly missed, but his spirit will live on in all who knew him. Max is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Marcia (Jeffry) Brinkley; sons, Gerald (Janet); David (Beverley); and Robert; stepchildren, Timothy and Lora Richter. Eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive him. Contributions may be sent to Swan Songs at 4403 Lareina Dr., Austin, TX 78745, Hospice Austin at 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759,\ charity of your choice .Family visitation will be held on February 3, 2014 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm followed by an informal eulogy service from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills on Anderson Mill Road in Austin. A funeral service will be held at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church on February 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following will be a reception at the church until 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow the reception at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery off of N. IH 35 in Pflugerville, Texas.

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