Our revered father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Max Irvin Beers died unexpectedly April 19, 1999 from a heart attack at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The only child of May V. Beers, Max was born September 9, 1917 at the Beers family farm in Orbisonia, Pennsylvania. Adopted by his grandparents, George H. and Mary Ellen Irvin Beers, he spent his early childhood in Orbisonia and Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. During his teen years he lived with Lester and Naomi Longenecker of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, whose care, love and encouragement Max deeply appreciated. Lester and Max developed a close bond and mutual respect that lasted throughout their lives. Lester took great pleasure in Max's bold spirit and many achievements.Max excelled in high school, graduating as valedictorian from Morrisons Cove High, and attended the University of Cincinnati earning a degree in electrical engineering.
Taking a job with Sperry Gyroscope in Lake Success, New York in 1946, Max began a long and successful career in the aerospace industry. His team collaborated on the successful Mercury mission, before his transfer to Sperry Phoenix in 1960 where he worked on the Gemini project. In 1967 Max was sent to Salt Lake City to manage Sperry Univac until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce.
Max married Ellen Marie Hosier on January 3, 1942, in Springfield, Ohio and together they raised five children.
Ellen preceded Max in death on October 22, 1998. Max and Ellen are survived by their five children, Tina E. Byrd, Pamela L. (Joel) Thompson, Margaret A. Beers, all located in Salt Lake City; Richard H. (Laura) Beers, M.D., of Sebastopol, CA; David R. (Jenny) Beers, Ph.D., of Houston, TX; six grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Lisa, Kristina, Julia, and Jenna; and two great-grandchildren, Alec and Adrienne.
Max will be remembered for his gentle humor and quick wit, along with his profound love of knowledge and his ever exploring mind. He loved to discuss science, to learn about the stars, to hike down the Grand Canyon and to care for his yard and garden.
A memorial service will be held Monday, April 26th at the Memorial House at Memory Grove Park, 484 North Canyon Road at 3 p.m. Family and friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers the family would be pleased to have donations made to the "Ellen Beers Alzheimer's Caretaker Reward Fund" at the Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence.
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