Mordechai Eliahu "Max" Kreinin, Phd.

East Lansing, MI - Born January 20, 1930 in Rishon Lezion, Israel son of the late Avraham and Joheved Kreinin passed away February 9, 2018 at age 88.

Mordechai grew up in Israel and attended the prestigious Gymnasia Herzilia High School and at the age of 18 fought in the Givati Brigade during Israel's War of Independence. He received his Phd. from the University of Michigan and was a Distinguished Professor of Economics at Michigan State University for 57 years and also had an office at Tel Aviv University for many years. Professor Kreinin used everything from "show tunes" to the Bible to help his students understand economics. Dr. Kreinin lived in 25 different countries during his life, was a leading figure in International Trade and Development having lectured all over the world, testified before congress, consulted for many Governments and International Trade Organizations including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Max was the author of 20 books and nearly 200 published articles. He was passionate, first and foremost, about his family and loved taking his grandchildren for cappuccinos and asking them about their lives. He was also passionate about Judaism, Israel, tennis (having regularly attended every Grand Slam event), paddle ball, bridge, and "The Bottom Line".

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Marlene; three daughters, Tamar (Rosalind Hinton) Kreinin, Elana (Dennis) Markovitz, and Miriam (David) Souccar; four grandchildren, Raviv (Michal Latzer) Markovitz, Netana Markovitz, Noa Souccar, and Lyla Souccar; sister, Oshria Pik in Israel; Nephews, Arnon Tzimbler and Oded Lavy along with the Saulson family of Franklin, MI. Mordechai was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Laela Miller Saulson.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 1924 Coolidge Rd., East Lansing, MI with Cantor Pamela Schiffer officiating. Burial will take place at Beit Olam East Cemetery in Wayland, MA.

Those who wish, may make memorial contributions, in Max's memory, to American Friends of Tel Aviv University at www.aftau.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal on Feb. 10, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Mordechai Kreinin

Sponsored by Estes-Leadley Funeral Home - Lansing.

18 Entries

Robert Shelburne

May 18, 2018

Max was a wonderful man and a great friend and colleague. A great loss to us all.

Kathy Nagy

March 22, 2018

Dearest Marlene and Family - just heard of Max's passing and let my mother know. She and I would like to send our condolences and love. We have so many fond memories of all of you. Much love, Sylvia Samuels and Kathy Samuels Nagy.

Michael Anderson

March 20, 2018

So sorry to hear this news. My wife Betty and I were blessed to have Dr. Kreinin as a professor during our undergraduate days at MSU. I was inspired by Professor Kreinin. I am now a professor of Economics myself, and I will always be in his debt.

Judy Dean

March 8, 2018

My heartfelt sympathy to all of Max's family. I met Max when I was a very young economist. I already admired his work. But from the start he encouraged me in my career, and always took time to talk with me whenever our paths crossed. I will miss him greatly and am so grateful for his friendship and mentoring.

Steve Whayne

March 7, 2018

Dr. Kreinin is the reason I ended up majoring in Economics. After taking his macroeconomics class, he encouraged me to consider changing my major to Econ, which I did! What a great man.

sally angelacos

February 15, 2018

Max will be sadly missed at the Lansing Bridge Center. Dupicate Bridge came to him late in his life and he steadly improved his game over time. He was a joy to listen to and always had good things to say of those around him. He was truly one of a kind!

Vic & Dee DeRose

February 12, 2018

I knew Max from Court One Tennis. He was a great man and I loved listening to his stories.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Vic and Dee DeRose

February 12, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg

February 11, 2018

Dear Elana and Dennis,Our hearts go out to you and your family. Warmest condolences. Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg

Robin Graubarth

February 11, 2018

My sympathies & love to you & your family, Tamara. Many blessings & much peace.
Robin Graubarth

Steve Parks

February 10, 2018

I knew Max from the MAC. He was a fine man and always had a smile on his face and a good word to say.

Steve Sagen

February 10, 2018

Marlene and family, so sorry to hear of Max's passing. Eli notified me. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve , Larry and Judy Sagen

Robert Brusca

February 10, 2018

He was one of the finest people I have ever known, exemplary in every way. As a professor he was an excellent teacher. I could sit in the classroom for hours and be lulled by his wonderful Israeli accent. Max had a way saying the word relatively that made it the most wonderful thing you ever heard in your life. Max was one of kind.

The FTD Faithful Blessings Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Robert Brusca

Sent Flowers

Michael Johnstone

February 10, 2018

Max was one of the most interesting people I have ever met. Constantly on the go, doing something new, writing about some issue, or traveling to some location. This was a man who lived life to the fullest, and enjoyed it to the end. This was a man who truly had it all. Max, we will miss you.
In Loving Memory,
Ellen and Michael Johnstone

Chris Bollinger

February 10, 2018

I took Max Kreinin for my very first economics course. I've been an economist now for 25 years. To this day, I still hear his voice in my head when I draw a supply and demand analysis, "It's second nature to you now, it almost makes the day begin." I think Max helped me find my calling in life, and I will never forget him.