A loyal supporter and friend
Dr. Max Schneider (Uncle Max) died peacefully at his home in Orange, CA on September 28th at age 92 with his family by his side.
Dr. Schneider, an internist who retired at age 90, leaves an impressive legacy in the world of addiction medicine.
Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Max Schneider used to joke that he started practicing medicine at age 10 as he assisted a fireman who needed a Band-Aid after fighting a house fire next door.
From that moment on, he was a fixture at the firehouse, and in later years, after he became a doctor, he volunteered as the fire department’s surgeon.
Graduating in 1949 from the University Of Buffalo School Of Medicine, where he did his internship and residency until 1952, Schneider went on to Harvard Medical School for a fellowship, completing his training in 1953.
Also in 1953 he accompanied a Boy Scout troop as one of the physicians for the Boy Scout Jamboree by train from Buffalo to Santa Ana California. Present location of that Boy Scout jamboree is Fashion Island. Giving him his first taste of California.
He practiced internal medicine and gastroenterology in Buffalo for 10 years before moving to Orange County in 1964.
His career turning point came when he was asked to cover a fellow doctor’s practice that provided treatment to many patients who were alcoholics, and he went on to become a pioneer in the field of addiction medicine. Today, recovery programs throughout California and the country include elements that are based on his work.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s he was involved with the Family Recovery Services at St Joseph Hospital (Orange, California).
Max also had a career as an “Expert Witness” on Drug and Alcohol. He testified in over 400 cases.
From 1997 to 2012 he served as Chapman Medical Center’s director of education in the Chemical Dependency Unit.
Dr. Steven Duckor, medical director of the Chemical Dependency Unit at Chapman Medical Center told OC Register columnist Barbara Venezia in 2012, “We have him to thank for paving the road for all of us in addiction medicine. He basically developed the field. In the early 60’s people didn’t really want to deal with or take care of people with alcoholism. We owe this all to Max’s development.”
During his career he produced 10 films and five booklets on addiction; authored over 60 papers; and lectured in 49 states, three Canadian provinces, and six countries.
Max was a past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the California Society of Addiction Medicine. He was chair of the board of directors of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, first for Orange County and later for the national organization. He served on the Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the controversy whether nicotine was a safe drug or not.
As an instructor, Dr. Schneider served as a faculty member at Harvard, the University Of Buffalo School Of Medicine, and the University Of California Irvine College Of Medicine.
In 1995, he was named “Doctor of the Year” by the Orange County Medical Association and was presented the “Golden Apple Award” for outstanding teaching by the 1995 University of California at Irvine Medical College graduating class.
In his very full and long life, Max blazed more than just the trail of addiction recovery.
“It was very difficult being a gay man back in the 1930’s and 40’s,” he told Venezia when she featured his July 29th 2012 90th birthday party in her OC Register column. “My parents were accepting but I didn’t tell them until I was in my 40’s.”
Known for his philanthropy, for his 90th birthday party, Schneider asked guests to make donations to the Gay and Lesbian Center of Orange County as a birthday gift to him. The party raised about $38,000.
Speaking about the “Center”, Max said, “It is a “Center” which makes it easier for people to live an honest life – a place where people can go to talk about their religious, family and societal conflicts and deal with it appropriately.”
Max acknowledged the “Center’s” youth programs as well as those for the aged. “I understand they now have a program for seniors,” he said at the time,” I won’t be attending. I hate old people.”
Those who loved him for his wicked sense of humor, and his signature Mickey Mouse ties will remember Max.
Ron Smelt mourns the passing of his partner of 44 years. Max’s wish was he would live to see the day the federal government recognize Gay Marriage. He did, so Max and Ron got married.
“Those who wish to honor Max should make a donation in his name to their favorite charity,” says Smelt. “We are following his wishes in having no memorial or funeral service.” His 90th birthday and retirement party was also his memorial where he was able to see and visit with 530 people.
Dr. Max Schneider lived an amazingly full life and many will miss him. He leaves a legacy that will live on through his philanthropy and the trails he blazed in addiction medicine and as a human rights advocate.