Memorial to Martin Maxwell Schnarrs

MEMORIAL TO MARTIN MAXWELL SCHNARRS

It was a tragedy that my grandson, Martin Maxwell Schnarrs , who was in the prime of his young life, at the age 27 years, had his life ended by a job accident. He was working alone repairing an end loader at his job with AAA Bark when the scoop came down on him and crushed him.

Marty was born on April 12, 1978 in Olympia, Washington. He passed away on June 1, 2005. He is survived by his Mother, Alaine Schumann, Sister, Jenise (Schnarrs) Gogan, Father, Father, Frank Schnarrs.

As Marty grew up from a babe in arms he had an engaging laugh and smile and was a joy to be around. He also showed a strong sense of curiosity and independence. As his grandparents, we loved having him around even though he needed constant watching because he was into everything within reach. He wasn’t destructive, just curious.

When he was old enough, I took him fishing. He liked to fish and got excited when he felt the pull on his line and landed a fish, but he didn’t like to sit quiet in the boat waiting for the fish to bite. He would rather start the motor and steer the boat.

One day we drove to the Black River and put the boat in the water. The fish weren’t biting so I turned the oars over to Marty. He rowed around in the quiet water and was getting pretty good at rowing. I said to him, “This is a good place to practice rowing.” He said, “Grandpa, I’m not practicing. I’m really rowing.”

In school Marty was not the best student, but had an engaging personality and was well liked by his fellow class mates, both boys and girls and by the teachers. When Marty was in middle school, I got a call one day. The voice said, “Is Max there?” I ask, “Who is Max?” After some confusion, I discovered that among his friends, our Marty was known by his middle name Maxwell shortened to Max. His family still calls him Marty but his friends outside the family call him Max. Marty preferred to be called Max But answered to the name Marty when he was with any member of the family. When Marty was born his parents wanted to name him after their fathers. My middle name is Martin and Grandfather’s middle name is Maxwell so they decided to name him using our middle names. His Dad started calling him Max when he was about 10 years old.

He worked for a time at his father’s hot tub store, behind the counter, dealing with customers and trouble shooting hot tub problems. He proved to be very good at it and showed his ability to be good at handling himself as an adult. He was likable and good at his relationship with people. He was able to sell hot tubs by the age of 12 years old.

Max went to work for AAA Bark. He soon showed his ability at adjusting to a new job. Soon his boss had him repairing machinery and was sending him to manage jobs all over the country. I talked to his boss, Chris. He told me that he had complete confidence that Max could handle any job he was sent on. He was a natural leader and well liked by everyone around him.

Max told his mother, Alaine, that he was afraid of high places. For that reason he took jobs where he had to climb to try to overcome his fear. He was also very competitive so the high canvas structures that were to be dismantled were a challenge he couldn’t pass up. With him and his helpers on the roof, they dropped the roof about three feet with him and his helpers riding it down. It was the fast way but dangerous. His mother and all of us worried about him.

Max always had a girl friend. His latest and last was a nice young lady named Katie Caulfield. What ever he said was alright with her. One day on the golf course she was carrying a golf bag which was much two heavy for her. I suggested that she use a hand pulled golf cart but she said, “No. Max told me to carry the bag.”

His untimely death has been a shock to all of us, especially to his sister Jenise and his mother, Alaine, who still has a difficult time, especially on holidays. We all miss Marty.