Harlan "Max" Hockett

1934 - 2014

Harlan "Max" Hockett

Des Moines

Harlan "Max" Hockett, 79, died Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Dunn's Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Private family burial will be in the Carl Cemetery near Lenox, Iowa.

Max was born November 20, 1934 in Lenox, Iowa to Max and Faye (Rogers) Hockett. He was a proud graduate of Drake University and Drake Law School. He began his legal career as an officer in the JAG Corps in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Major. After retiring from the Air Force, Max joined the law firm of Powers, Sloane, Marx, Jordan and Cook in Des Moines where he learned his trade from his respected mentor, Ted Sloane. He spent his entire career practicing in Des Moines, retiring as a sole practitioner at the Plaza Law Offices with Joseph Bertogli, Robert Burnett, Ken Benhart, Pat Carpenter, Tom Keiderling, Mike Miller, and Mike Maye.

Max's three great loves were travel, the law, and story telling. On occasion he managed to combine all three. No dinner with Max was ever complete without hearing a story of his trip to China and the law students he taught while he was there. And a day never came when he didn't have photos of his most recent trip abroad ready to share at a moment's notice.

Survivors include his son, Matthew C.S. Hockett of New York, NY; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey V.S. Hockett, and his brother, Dan Hockett.

A memorial fund is being set up in his honor. Details re contributions to the fund will be available at www.IlesCares.com. On-line condolences are welcome at the same site.