Max

Tonight I learned that my old high school band director passed away. I did not have him as long as others. By the time I got to high school, Mr. Maxfield, or "Max" as he was affectionately known, was close to retiring. I was lucky to have him a second time around when he returned to sub as director while we waited for a new director to be hired after his original replacement resigned.

Max was that teacher that you wanted to do well for. He inspired and motivated, like many of the great teachers we had at Wilson Central, through humor and understanding, and a strict love of teaching music and playing it. He had a pep band that played at football and basketball games, orange blazers and all. I can remember watching and listening when I was a younger attendee, hoping that someday I could be a part of it.

He was one of many teachers I had that inspired my teaching style for the relatively short time I taught. He was kind. And fair. And stern if he needed to be. I always hoped that I could motivate and make my students want to do well for me, like we did for Max.

Later on, years after I graduated, I was lucky enough to golf a few times with Max, along with my father, also a teacher and counselor at Wilson High. He was as much fun, if not more, to golf with and allowed me to get to know Max a little more than as a teacher. I also learned from my dad that Max was somewhat of a card shark, and most Thursday nights after my dad got home from the country club playing poker with the guys, that Max had won the most. I'd ask him, "Did you win?" and he would usually answer, "Some, but that damn Max won most of the pots!"

So tonight I say farewell to Mr. Maxfield. Max. You were one of a kind. I never heard any band student say they were glad you were retired. You were respected. You were liked. You were loved. RIP Max.