Max Stephenson 

03-08-1930 - 09-08-2026

Max Jesse Stephenson passed away on September 8, 2026, at the Pete Moore Hospice House in Eugene, Oregon. He was surrounded by his family and friends who loved and supported him.

Max was born on March 8, 1930, to Jesse and Wynona Stephenson in Rexburg Idaho. Growing up alongside his two younger sisters, Luana and Maralyn, he learned the value of strong morals and a robust work ethic from his parents. These values guided him through a variety of jobs when he wasn’t in school: he picked potatoes, sold corn from the family garden out of his wagon, worked in a men’s clothing store, cut meat as a butcher at Safeway, and worked as a projectionist at the local movie theater.

At Madison High School Max played the alto sax and sang baritone in the choir, but what gave him the most satisfaction was declination, where he and his teammates debated competitively throughout the region. He also became an Eagle Scout, which influenced his love of the outdoors. Max took up skiing, buying his first pair of skis with his after-school earnings. He loved climbing, hiking and simply observing the wonders of nature.

Max graduated from Madison High School in 1948, then attended Ricks College in Rexburg for two years in pre-med. In the summers, he worked at Yellowstone National Park as a fire lookout and at the park entrance greeting visitors.

Max transferred to the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) in Portland, where he met his wife Anne Hinds on a double date. After graduating from medical school in June 1955, Max and Anne were married in Eugene, Oregon, in October of the same year and immediately moved to Iowa, where he completed his internship.

Max was drafted into the Army during the Korean war and was stationed first in Fort Rucker, Alabama, then Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where their first child, Sally Lynn, was born in November 1956. After two years, Max returned to the U of O Medical School where he completed his residency in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. While living in Portland, their family grew with the births of Becky Lou in September, 1958 and Robert Hinds in August 1959.

Moving to Eugene, Max opened a pediatric practice in Springfield, Oregon eventually partnering with other pediatricians to open Island Park Pediatrics along the Willamette River in Springfield. His staff, his patients, and their parents loved and respected him endearing him with the title, “Dr. Max”. It was during this time that Max and Anne built their dream home in southeast Eugene and in December 1965 their son David Kerr was born.

After 33 years of dedicated practice, Max retired in 1993. Embracing his many passions, he became a master furniture builder, challenging himself to explore new techniques never wanting to build the same piece twice. He was an avid reader, enjoyed the challenge of a good puzzle and played golf regularly. He appreciated listening to a variety of music including classical, opera, a symphony, or an old musical. Above all Max loved his dogs. Nothing gave him more joy that taking his yellow lab out to one of their many haunts for a walk.

Max and Anne were an amazing team together, designing, buildings, creating, traveling and raising their children. They had a devoted group of friends with whom they met regularly for dinner and drinks, the occasional trip, and always lots of laughs. Max and Anne were married for over 68 years before Anne’s passing in December 2023.

Max was quiet, humble, generous and unassuming. In difficult times he never forgot what was important and who he was, a fine man. He loved his family more than anything and never failed to express how proud he was of each one of them. Max always told everyone what a great life he had lived and consistently reminded his family to not wait until tomorrow to embrace life and live it to the fullest.

 His absence leaves a shadow on our hearts, but his memory is a brilliant light. Our lives, and other lives he touched, are forever enriched by the gifts of his calm strength, his patience, his guidance, and his steady presence.

 In Max’s memory, donations can be made to Green Hill Humane Society in Eugene, Oregon, or any animal shelter of your choosing.