Max Gene Falkenstien
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Max Gene Falkenstien, the voice of the Jayhawks for 60 years, died on July 29, 2019 at age 95. Max was born in Lawrence, Kansas on April 10, 1924, to Earl and Edith Gosper Falkenstien. He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and after a year at the University of Kansas, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, he entered the United States Air Force/Army Signal Corps. After the war, he returned to Kansas University and received a degree in mathematics. On March 20, 1949, he married Isobel Atwood at the Danforth Chapel on the KU campus.
Max began his broadcasting career while in high school at WREN radio and began his sportscasting career there in 1946. In all, between 1946 and 2006, he broadcast over 650 football games and more than 1,750 basketball games. He aired every KU basketball game played in Allen Field House from its opening in 1955 until his retirement and received multiple awards during his tenure; perhaps the most memorable was having his jersey with the Number 60 retired in Allen Field House next to all the great KU athletes who have been so honored.
Max began his professional career as General Manager of WREN radio in Topeka and held that post until the late 1960’s. He then worked for WIBW television in Topeka as a sportscaster and moved back to Lawrence in 1972 where he began a long career in the banking industry, retiring as Senior Vice President of Douglas County Bank in Lawrence. He was instrumental in developing electronic advancements for the bank, served as chair of the national advertising campaign for the American Bankers Association and headed the advertising division of the Kansas Bankers Association.
Max is survived by Isobel, his wife of 70 years, daughter Jane Hart of Topeka, son Kurt (Paula Martin) of Lawrence, sister Sandra Simonett of Prairieville, Louisiana, grandson Joseph Marshall Hart of Tucson, Arizona, grandson Eric Hart (Amaris) of Tucson, granddaughter Kate Falkenstien (Rich Boltizar) of East Palo Alto, California, five great grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew.
The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to his much appreciated friends who transported him three times a week to and from his dialysis treatments for the last two years: Steve Caldwell, JD Cleavinger, Bob Derby, Larry McElwain, Fred DeVictor, Don Green, Larry Hatfield, Carl Locke, Jim Marchiony, Kyle O’Brien, Miles Schnaer, Rick Spano and Mark Wolfson.
A celebration of Max’s life will be held on Saturday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lied Center. The public is invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, Max requested memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society or the Williams Fund at Kansas University. They may be sent in care of the Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I had the privilege of meeting Max a couple of years ago. He was kind and humble, showing interest in others’ lives; not at all what you expect from such a well known person.
He was not only a legend but also a great guy.
Like all media members, I loved Max. Shared some great laughs. Max was quick to praise other media members while quickly changing the subject if you praised him. Bob and Max; Max and Bob. Quite a sports combo and two great men. Rest in peace, Max. We love u!
Max was first of all a wonderful human being, a true professional and someone who you just wanted to be around. His treasure chest full of stories could captivate you for hours. There are many individuals who have become legends at KU, ;but When I think of Max I think of William Shakespeare’s words: ““He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.” Rest In Peace my friend.
Max was a wonderful man….Gov Finney appointed Max and me to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1993….Max was at my topeka law office many times…I am a big KSU fan and Max was a big KU fan…yet we were wonderful friends…I will miss my good friend……….so many good memories on our many trips to Abilene ,Ks for Ks Sports Hall of Fame meetings…….may God bless this good man…………..dan lykins (topeka, ks)
Isobel and family
Sad news Our thoughts are with y’all
Max will be in our memories forever
We are very thankful to have had such a friend in our lives
RIP my friend
I was saddened to hear of Max passing. He was such a kind and gentle soul. I’ll never forget his kindness rounding up some old KU players to come visit my dad, Otto Schnellbacher, when he was ill and no longer able to go to the basketball games in ‘08. The stories were bountiful and it was Max who kept bringing up stories from the 40’s and 50’s. My deepest sympathies to your family. Max will now have a great seat to continue watching his beloved Jayhawks!
I had the privilege of serving Max and Isobel at Applebees years ago. Max was always so kind. He will be missed dearly. Once a Jayhawk ALWAYS a Jayhawk. Rest In Peace Max you were one of a kind.
Max you are/was the best announcer on the planet and I remember growing up listening to you on the radio and meeting you in person you brought so joy to me with every call you made. I will always miss hearing your voice on the radio with that voice of the Jayhawks ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK KU.i love you so much max you will be miss by all of us jayhawk nation RIP MAX Falkenstein the best announcer on the planet
I think about our golf games with you . Fun times and lots of laughs. RIP my friend. A real Jayhawk star. Bob Marcum.
Such a kind man. I always enjoyed greeting him at the media door. He actually had me watch his cane for a few minutes once and I was honored! He was the epitome of class.
A fine man and great broadcaster. As my boss @ WREN and as a person he was the BEST.
RIP my old friend.
I worked with Max at DCB. He was a great guy He always care the new people and took us under his wing and showed us the ropes RIP Max
Played handball with Max (Fighter) for 40 plus years three days a week. Our group was tight knit normally also having lunch together. Talked politics, religion, sports, etc. We all got along and appreciated each other’s friendship. Our gatherings are not the same without him. Teri and I send our support and sympathy to Isobel and family.
Ron Stous
Max and l played golf and handball since the mid sixies.
What a fighter he was. We used to have lunch after the
matches and argue about who was the luckiest that day.
I had lunch with Max about 2 months ago and told him
how much I missed him.R I P fighter.Ron
I remember one Saturday afternoon in October, 1984, turning on the radio to find out the KU football results just in time to hear Max say: “The score here today, Nebraska 70, KU 7, but oh, what a glorious touchdown it was.” That was Max – always saw the bright side. We’ll miss this good man. Eternal rest grant unto him, O’ Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Aug 5, 2019
Dear Isobel and family,
Words can not begin to express the feeling I have for both of you, but knowing people are thinking of you, and caring, maybe helps. I hope so. Please accept my deepest sympathy on Max’s loss. I know your family and all your friends have wonderful memories of Max. What a wonderful person and Isobel too. We are all so fortunate to know such a person as Max.
Sincerely,
Jackie Campbell Petersen
Isabel and family,
Such an honor to have known Max and you, Isabel. Thanks for sharing him with us. He was the consummate gentleman.
Dear Isobel: Harry and I sent our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. It is hard to lose Max but he certainly leaves so many of us with wonderful memories. He was a favorite of ours: such a talented, caring person. Much love, Karen (Kay) and Harry Craig
I worked for Max while at Douglas County Bank. He had this old manual typewriter that he would type out memos on scratch paper, then have me retype on letter head. He also brought pictures of Max the baby gorilla that he went and got to bring back to the Topeka zoo. I had mentioned to him, after Coach Larry Brown came into see him one day, that I thought he had nice legs….next time he told him…..”Hey Coach, Di thinks you have nice legs”????????……that has to be one or maybe the most embarrassing moments of my life! He will always have a soft place in my heart. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
For many years my father would take a small radio to every football game, and we would listen to Max’s coverage. It was often more interesting than the actual game. The people seated in front and behind us would also listen in. That’s says something about the following Max created with his voice.
Rest in great peace my friend. You have been a truly wonderful person and dear friend. Knowing that you are at the side of our lord with that pleasant smile on your face we pray for your family that they can celebrate your special life and love for them. I will forever cherish Max’s genuine and caring friendship. Bill Snyder
Best wishes for the family and many friends of Max. He’s part of the long standing tradition of the crimson and blue, and will be sorely missed. This is why we rock chalk. ♡