E. Max Von Isser

1919 - 2014

von Isser, E. Max 95, of Green Valley, AZ, passed away on November 23, 2014, of natural causes. He was born September 21, 1919, in New York City, NY. In 1940 he swam for the New York Athletic Club and won the National Junior AAU Championship. He served in WWII as a classified technical Staff Sargent in the Army Air Force. After an honorable discharge he went on to become all conference swimming champion for the University of Denver. He received a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts at DU and a MFA from University of Colorado. Max married Florence Liening, November 22, 1947, in Littleton, Colorado. He taught art at Elgin High School in the 1950s and established the Humanities Department at Elgin Community College during its formative years. As the college grew, he became chairman of the department and continued to be instrumental in the development of art programs for three decades. Max was a vital force as a leader in the expansion of the arts within the community. He received many awards and was honored by ECC, including the E. Max von Isser art gallery being dedicated in his name. Max and his wife lived in Elgin, IL for thirty-four years before his retirement in 1984 and relocated to Green Valley, AZ where he continued to create. He was an avid swimmer and USA record holder for the National Masters Swimming Competition from 1999-2001 and 2004. At 85, Max attained the Masters World Swimming record for 50m butterfly. Max is survived by his wife Florence; and daughter, Tana Allen (Steve) from Crystal Lake, IL; and grandson, Corey Bero. He is also survived by two nieces, Rea Jackman, Regina Minger; and nephew, Raymond Aichner, all from California; and cousin Aldine von Isser; and family from Tucson, AZ.