Maxwell “Max” D. Freshley
April 17, 1929 – October 4, 2021
Richland, Washington – Max passed away peacefully on October 4, 2021. Max was born on April 17, 1929 to German immigrant parents Emma (Kober) and Christoph (Froeschle) Freshley in Portland, Oregon where he grew up. He enjoyed a long and active life. Max attended Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland and graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Physics in June 1951. Upon graduation, Max joined the General Electric Company’s Tech Grad Program at the Hanford site in Richland and, subsequently in 1965, Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory retiring in 1993 as a Manager/Senior Staff Scientist after devoting most of his professional career researching the development of light water nuclear reactor fuels. Max’s work involved extensive foreign travel to Japan, Europe and Russia over the years.
Max met his life partner, Betty L. LaCombe, while attending Multnomah Junior College in Portland and they were married on June 28, 1952. Max and Betty had two children, Mark (Colleen) and Anne (David Little); four grandchildren, Jessica Fabish (Pat), Christie Little, Monica Camp (Michael) and Brian Freshley and three great-grandchildren, Emily Fabish, Max Fabish and Reagan Camp. Max was truly proud of his children and grandchildren and was devoted to supporting them in the furtherance of their education.
Early on, Max was active as a Boy Scout leader. He was a lifetime member of the American Society for Metals and an active member of the American Nuclear Society which awarded him the honor of Fellow Emeritus for “outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear science and engineering.”
After retiring, Max developed a passion for his daily climbs up Badger Mountain “on the steep north side” and achieved over 3200 climbs by the time he was in his late eighties. Max enjoyed numerous hobbies and activities and was fortunate to have had an active life well into his late eighties. He enjoyed fly fishing and went on numerous fly-fishing trips to Alaska with friends and family. Annual fishing trips floating the Deschutes River with his son, Mark, and his son-in-law, David, were special occasions. Max was a long-time bird hunter and enjoyed his dogs. He also enjoyed tennis, camping and snow skiing. Memorable family times were spent during the winters and summers at their cabin at Anthony Lakes entertaining long-time friends and making new friends. However, after 50 years of camping in a tent and sleeping on the ground, Max and Betty purchased a small motorhome which made “camping” a real luxury and they enjoyed it a lot.
After retirement, Max and Betty enjoyed traveling and visited Australia, New Zealand, China, Italy and enjoyed participating with friends on several cruises. He also devoted significant time conducting genealogical research on his family history and was fascinated with every newfound discovery. Max’s nature was to be thorough and precise in every undertaking; sometimes to the frustration of those around him. His innate curiosity and need to understand the basics led in many directions.
Max is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty, his two children, Mark and Anne, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christoph and Emma Freshley, his brother, Edwin and sister, Frances. Inurnment will occur at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at a private family service. Donations in Max’s name may be made to the Tri-City Cancer Center or the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission.
You may express your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.HillcrestFunerals.com.
April 17, 1929 – October 4, 2021
Richland, Washington – Max passed away peacefully on October 4, 2021. Max was born on April 17, 1929 to German immigrant parents Emma (Kober) and Christoph (Froeschle) Freshley in Portland, Oregon where he grew up. He enjoyed a long and active life. Max attended Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland and graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Physics in June 1951. Upon graduation, Max joined the General Electric Company’s Tech Grad Program at the Hanford site in Richland and, subsequently in 1965, Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory retiring in 1993 as a Manager/Senior Staff Scientist after devoting most of his professional career researching the development of light water nuclear reactor fuels. Max’s work involved extensive foreign travel to Japan, Europe and Russia over the years.
Max met his life partner, Betty L. LaCombe, while attending Multnomah Junior College in Portland and they were married on June 28, 1952. Max and Betty had two children, Mark (Colleen) and Anne (David Little); four grandchildren, Jessica Fabish (Pat), Christie Little, Monica Camp (Michael) and Brian Freshley and three great-grandchildren, Emily Fabish, Max Fabish and Reagan Camp. Max was truly proud of his children and grandchildren and was devoted to supporting them in the furtherance of their education.
Early on, Max was active as a Boy Scout leader. He was a lifetime member of the American Society for Metals and an active member of the American Nuclear Society which awarded him the honor of Fellow Emeritus for “outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear science and engineering.”
After retiring, Max developed a passion for his daily climbs up Badger Mountain “on the steep north side” and achieved over 3200 climbs by the time he was in his late eighties. Max enjoyed numerous hobbies and activities and was fortunate to have had an active life well into his late eighties. He enjoyed fly fishing and went on numerous fly-fishing trips to Alaska with friends and family. Annual fishing trips floating the Deschutes River with his son, Mark, and his son-in-law, David, were special occasions. Max was a long-time bird hunter and enjoyed his dogs. He also enjoyed tennis, camping and snow skiing. Memorable family times were spent during the winters and summers at their cabin at Anthony Lakes entertaining long-time friends and making new friends. However, after 50 years of camping in a tent and sleeping on the ground, Max and Betty purchased a small motorhome which made “camping” a real luxury and they enjoyed it a lot.
After retirement, Max and Betty enjoyed traveling and visited Australia, New Zealand, China, Italy and enjoyed participating with friends on several cruises. He also devoted significant time conducting genealogical research on his family history and was fascinated with every newfound discovery. Max’s nature was to be thorough and precise in every undertaking; sometimes to the frustration of those around him. His innate curiosity and need to understand the basics led in many directions.
Max is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty, his two children, Mark and Anne, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christoph and Emma Freshley, his brother, Edwin and sister, Frances. Inurnment will occur at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at a private family service. Donations in Max’s name may be made to the Tri-City Cancer Center or the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission.
You may express your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.HillcrestFunerals.com.
Published by Tri-City Herald on Oct. 10, 2021.
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