Maximilian Netzow

Maximilian, a beloved friend to many, passed away in San Francisco, California, in January 2026.
Max was born on May 15, 1970, at French Hospital on Geary Boulevard. A soulfully rambunctious and beautiful child, he remained throughout his life deeply kind, generous, and magnetic in presence. His charisma, adventurous spirit, and joyful abundance drew people to him; being in his company was a gift
A world traveler from his earliest days, Max lived in a teepee in Hawi, Hawaiʻi as a baby, the family moving there on the whim of his adventurous mother. At age 8, while living in Sebastopol, California, he was introduced to fishing by a neighbor who became a father figure. That mentorship led him to help build the salmon trawler Sea Fox and, as he grew older, to captain the vessel in and out of Bodega Bay. Fishing remained a lifelong passion and the source of many great adventures.
Max continued exploring throughout his life, taking annual trips around the globe and returning home with a wealth of stories. He believed life should be lived to the fullest, that joy and freedom were worth pursuing now, not saved for some distant future.
Though he had no children of his own, Max was a brother in the truest sense, to his family by blood and to a vast circle of friends who became his chosen family. He formed deep, lasting connections and was beloved by many across the world.
Max faced significant challenges in his later years, including chronic illness and mental health struggles in the wake of the opioid epidemic, which ultimately led to his death. He fought hard, and he was deeply loved.
He is survived by his loving parents, Pamela and Charles Netzow; his sisters, Phoebe Smith and Georgia Netzow; and his beloved nieces and nephew, Mira, Pearl, and Taj. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Nunemann.
A celebration of Max's life will be held on May 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Rio Nido Lodge in Rio Nido, California.