Photo courtesy of Monarch Society
Denver, Colorado
Feb 3, 1932 – Oct 6, 2021 (Age 89)
Max Paul Grassfield died on October 6, 2021 at the age of 89. Sharp-witted, charming, and curious to the end, Max was surrounded by love, family, and our dedicated hospice team during a peaceful and painless transition. His was a fearless passing, for which he was ready. Max was born on February 3, 1932 to Helen Ruth Grassfield (Hefner) and Norman Andrews Grassfield in Waverly, Iowa. With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa (1954), he started his retail career as assistant manager at Montgomery Ward. Along the way, Max met the love of his life Pat (Patty) in Davenport, Iowa. They wed on June 29, 1957 and were happily married for 59 years. During their honeymoon in Aspen, they fell in love with Colorado. A year later they packed up their baby daughter Lisa and moved to Denver. In 1960, Max established a 700 square foot men’s clothing store in Denver’s University Park neighborhood: Grassfield & Co. Their second daughter, Ann, came along a year later and as their family grew, the business grew as well, with new locations in downtown, Aspen and Cherry Creek North. Expansion included The Distaff (womenswear) in 1966, and the acquisition of Gano Downs ten years later. Grassfield’s was a beloved Denver institution for 40 years with a legacy of quality, customer care, and personalized service.
Max was an adventurer, an intellectual, a humorist, a gifted orator and writer. He flew fixed wing gliders over long distances to unimaginable altitudes. He rode motorcycles with buddies across the country and up and down winding Colorado roads. He was a certified master gardener, a consummate opera buff, a longtime member of Denver’s Cactus Club, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. In retirement, Max pursued his writing, which includes vibrant short stories of his life, to be published posthumously.
Predeceased by his wife Patricia Lucille Grassfield (Nyhus) (2016), brother Bruce Allen Grassfield (2019), grandson Andrew Michael Klingler (2013). Survived by his daughters Lisa Jo Grassfield (John Colborn Calderhead), Ann Marie McCampbell (née Grassfield) (Tom Klosowski), grandchildren Matthew Colin Klingler, Jenna Elizabeth McCampbell.
At Max’s request, no service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Denver Botanic Gardens, botanicgardens.org or to Opera Colorado, operacolorado.org.
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Max was a great guy! I got to know Max back in the early 1970’s at his University store. He always knew what looked great and had a great sense of humor.
T.R. Arnold
July 11, 2025 | Wilmington, NC | Friend
Max provided me with my first opportunity to work at Grassfields, on the Distaff side for which I will be forever grateful. I learned much about assisting customers with their purchases but more importantly how to interact and help make them feel comfortable. While Max had a delightful sense of humor he also conveyed his high expectations of his personnel. It was a pleasure to know him briefly. We are blessed by his presence in our lives. Peace and blessings for his family.
Nan Fullerton
October 23, 2021 | Work
Max was a long time customer and friend of Direct Press Inc. in Denver. Over the years Max was an inspiration to me through his marketing and interpersonal methods. His fine men’s clothing store Grassfield’s was second none, which was quintessential example of excellence. The life lessons and adventurous stories Max shared with me I shall never forget. His smile and laugh will missed. Rest easy good friend.
David Shaver
October 20, 2021 | Denver, CO | Friend
Always great conversations with Max.
Rick Acosta
October 20, 2021
We were customers of Grassfield's from its beginning. In conversation, while shopping 1 day, Max and Buck discovered they were both transplants from Iowa. And further ties were that Max's aunt was buried in Buck's hometown of Manchester, Iowa and Max had an aunt in Monticello, Iowa which was Janie's hometown. The aunt was Florence Roberts and she was the Monticello librarian for many years. When the Cherry Creek North store was "dismantled" we bought the Oak fixtures and installed it in our...
Janie and Buck Hutchison
October 19, 2021 | Friend
I spent many hours with Max at his stores and over meals in Denver restaurants. I always looked for him at Friends of Chamber Music. Dear, dear Max.
Rick Acosta
October 17, 2021 | Denver, CO | Friend
This man was awesome and will be remember in the same vein he lived his life. I am all the more blessed for having known who he is and known him as we frequented the same restaurant, Ellie May's, for years. LOVE!
marsha berger
October 17, 2021
Max was a consummate gentleman, a talented writer and a dear friend!
Janet Fine
October 11, 2021 | Denver, CO | Friend
