Maxwell Springer dies at 95; Hall of Famer and world champ
Maxwell Springer, who competed as recently as August, suffered a fatal stroke on Sunday, October 11, I’ve been informed. He was 10 days short of 96. This is a great loss to our tribe. Former WMA Vice President Rex Harvey, who shared the sad news, wrote: “He was a fine man and conducted himself with real dignity and class.” Max, one of three M95s competing at Oshkosh nationals, was elected to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame in 2006. At the National Senior Olympics in Palo Alto, he won the 100, 200, 400, 800 and long jump. And his local paper reported the admiration of his running rival, Frank Levine, who said after the Oshkosh 400: “I have to bow to a better man. He’s six months older than I am, so he deserves a lot of credit.”
Max Springer chugged around the track at Oshkosh masters nationals in July.
Max at Gateshead
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He also piled up records and friends at world and national championships, often competing for the Knoxville Track Club.
At 2005 San Sebastian worlds, he was the M90 gold medalist in the 800,
1500, long jump and triple jump. (He set many records in long sprints
and the 800 and still holds the listed M90 WR for the indoor long
jump.)
Club member and Olympic Trials official Stanley Underwood says Max’s funeral service will be held Sunday, October 18, at Second Presbyterian Church
in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stanley says an obituary is forthcoming. (I’ll share the link when I see it.)
I first met Max at Gateshead worlds in 1999
and chatted with him again at Oshkosh. He had survived serious illness and
surgery, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have lived this long without masters
track. He was a quiet, classy gentleman.
Our sincerest condolences to his family.
Max led Frank Levine after 100 meters of the M95 400-meter dash at Oshkosh.
Update: Max’s death notice was published in the Knoxville News Sentinel on October 16, 2009:
SPRINGER, DR. MAXWELL ELSWORTH – age 95, died Sunday, October 11. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elzie and Mabel Springer, and by his brother Maurice. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Jean; sons Steve (Lurilee), Kent (Carrie), and Scott (Barbara); granddaughters Alison and Audrey; and nieces Sheila Gephardt and Sherry High. Max was born October 21, 1913 and grew up on a Missouri farm.He received AB and AM degrees from the University of Missouri and a PhD in soils from the University of California, Berkeley. Max was on the Missouri faculty before coming to UT, where he was a dedicated teacher and adviser from 1957-1979. Max contributed to soil surveys throughout Missouri and Tennessee, was co-author of “Tennessee Soils”, and was a Fulbright professor at the University of Ghent, Belgium.
He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and member of Soil Science Society of America, Sigma Xi, and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Max served as a US Army hospital administrator in Europe during World War II. He was captain at time of discharge and was awarded the Bronze Star.
In 1946-1947 he was a civilian soil scientist in occupied Japan. Max was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, where he had served as deacon and grounds committee member and continued to plant and prune until his death.
His hobbies included gardening, fishing, photography, travel, and watching UT sports. In 1978 Max started running. Over the next 30 years he competed in local road races, National Senior Games, and USA Track & Field and world Masters championships. He set two age group American records this summer.
Max received a lifetime achievement award from the Knoxville Track Club and was elected to the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and USATF Masters Hall of Fame. Rev. Bryan Wilson will lead a memorial service at Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, at 2 pm Sunday, October 18.
The family will receive friends at a reception afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Second Presbyterian Church or to the “Maxwell E. and Jean H. Springer endowment fund” for graduate students in soils, Office of Development, 2621 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996.
18 Responses
Professor Springer was quite a Southern gentleman and had a wonderful wit. I’m so glad he was able to make it to Oshkosh to show the younger folk what more experienced people could do in track and field. He and his wife will be sorely missed.
Max was a star and a fantastic ambassador for the masters track and field mission. His rivalry with fellow 95+ Frank Levine was heated to the end. At this summer’s Nationals in Oshkosh, you could see the determination on both their faces– but also pride by both as each finished each event. Both loved to tell the media the importance of fitness and competition at all ages, and how it extends life and life quality. Frank will carry on, but he and all of us will miss Max deeply for what he inspired in us.
Bob Weiner, MTF Media Chair
Max is my hero
My condolences to the Springer family and friends. Great memories for me. For over a decade, Maxwell was a major rival of my dad on the track, and a relentless machine of a runner. No one who saw him will ever forget the sight of Max with his ever-present cap. For a few rare years, everyone was treated to true competition in the 90s+ bracket, and I hope we see it again in the future. I would wager that not a single person who has ever watched one of those 90+ races ever has came away away without a smile and total admiration.
My prayers go out to his familey I got a chance to speak with hem at the nationals at oshkash,he was a very dear man and will be blessed and missed, K.McQuitter M50
This is very sad news. It was nice that He got to go out on top by having a great season this year in track. Max may be gone but his competitive spirit (and records) will live on for years to come. Max was a true champion.
max may your wings mount in heaven, you have run your best race god be with you always ,dave ashford to the ,family be strong and remember all of the great things max has done for masters track. thanks max.
At Oshkosh I was honored to hang out with athletes like Max and Frank, and learn some of their tips for success. What a treat! Max you were and are a very bright star!!!
We truly admired Max for his devotion to track and field. Not just competing on the track, but also the travel that is involved. Rather than just compete locally, he chose to venture across the country and compete. His competitive spirit enabled him to live life to the fullest.
I met Max in Oshkosh. What a charming gentleman, kind and gracious. He’ll be missed.
These comments are wonderful–and touching. I didn’t know Maxwell (I wish I had), but so many of you did and shared the camaraderie of masters track with him. Your support, interest, and friendship no doubt encouraged him to keep training and competing, making his last years very special. This camaraderie to me is what masters track and field is all about.
Max is featured in a 2004 video, when he was 90, in this report on the WBIR-TV site:
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=101899&provider=gnews
I’m sad that Max has left the track and field stadium here on earth. I’m happy to picture him running and jumping the heavens. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and his long-time friendly rival, Frank L.
I remember a moment at the Indoor Nationals in Boston a couple of years ago. We were sitting way up under the roof. Max came bounding up the steps, a quite smile on his face. “Max did something special”, his wife said. Ralph Maxwell, shooting Texas style from the hip, quipped: “What, did he go to the bathroom?” Everybody was cracking up, followed by Peter Taylor’s booming voice. “New American record, Max Springer!” Peter’s timing was, as always, perfect. Now, everybody was congratulating Max while laughing hysterically. The good professor took it all in stride, the smile never leaving his face. Thank you for the memories, Sir.
Had the opportunity by chance to sit across from Max and his wife while eating dinner at a local restaurant in Oshkosh at Nationals. Earlier in the day, he had beaten out friendly rival Frank for the gold. Just before leaving for the restaurant, I met and chatted with Frank. Frank told me about his heart break of the day, having lost a world record to Max. These men display the best in aging and enjoying life to its fullest! Max, I hope you still are running and playing in heaven!
Local newspaper obituary is now posted:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/oct/16/running-legend-dies-at-95/
It adds this information:
He is survived by Jean, his wife of 55 years, three sons and two grand-daughters.
Mr. Springer was a World War II veteran and a cancer survivor.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church at 2829 Kingston Pike.
Max’s official paid obit is here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=maxwell-elsworth-springer&pid=134468555
His guestbook is here:
http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=6343801164747&cid=full
Max was our wonderful brother-in-law. His wife, Jean, is my husband’s sister. We had many happy hours visiting with them from the time their & our children were born. Visits in Knoxville & Indianapolis will be remembered & cherished.
Our children, Ann & Dave, got to get reacquainted with their 3 boys, Steve, Kent, & Scott, when everyone was there for the memorial service.
Thanks, Max, for being such a grand relative! Jack & Babs Huston
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