Grassfield, Max Paul
02/03/1932 - 10/06/2021
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, or to Opera Colorado.

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

Published by www.denverpost.com from Oct. 17 to Oct. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Max Grassfield

Sponsored by The Denver Post.

8 Entries

T.R. Arnold

July 11, 2025

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.

Nan Fullerton

October 23, 2021

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.

David Shaver

October 20, 2021

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.

Rick Acosta

October 20, 2021

Always great conversations with Max.

Janie and Buck Hutchison

October 19, 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 newly remodeled house as a huge closet.
We were at Pat's celebration of life which was held at the Kent Place recreation center. At that time we had a wonderful conversation with Max, sharing many memories of our friendship. He was the finest of men and we are so lucky to have called him a friend. We have sent a donation to the Botanic Garden as a memorial to honor Max's
life

Rick Acosta

October 17, 2021

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.

marsha berger

October 17, 2021

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!

Janet Fine

October 11, 2021

Max was a consummate gentleman, a talented writer and a dear friend!

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