Max Drimmer

Max Drimmer

Resident of Burlingame

Passed away August 14, 2012 at the age of 92. He was born on March 25, 1920 to Moritz and Fannie Drimmer in Magdeburg, Germany. Max was a Holocaust survivor, spending a total of 5 years in both Sachsenhausen and the Auschwitz death camp. In 1944, Max escaped from Auschwitz with his best friend Herman Shine and returned to Berlin. Max was aided by a Polish gentile, Josef Wrona, who deserves special recognition here for without his assistance in the escape plot, Max may not have survived. After the war, he married his sweetheart Herta Zowe and moved to the United States to start a family and a career as a baker and ultimately a very successful plumbing contractor. Max lived in San Francisco for 35 years before moving to Burlingame where he resided for the past 31 years. Max was married to his wife Herta for 53 wonderful years until Herta, our "Nana," passed away in 1999.

Lovingly known as "Baba" to his immediate family, Max is survived by his two sons, Jack and Jeff, Jeff's wife Vivienne, his grandchildren, Jim, Jennifer, her husband Mike , Julia, Joe - and his great grandson and pride and joy, Landon. Max lived for his family and was a true patriarch, dispensing comfort, advice and guidance to his children gleaned from a well lived life and the wealth of experience that came along with it. Max also had substantial family in the San Francisco Bay Area and a large contingent of family in Israel with who he was in frequent contact. Max is deeply missed and will be in our hearts and minds, every day, and for the rest of our lives.

In his spare time, Max kept active, volunteering at the Tourist Information Center in downtown San Francisco, San Francisco airport, and in speaking engagements related to the Holocaust. Max was a routine attendee at Holocaust survivor conferences, was recognized numerous times by the California Legislature for his experiences, and gave videotaped and oral testimonies for the benefit of the Holocaust museums in Washington D.C., as well as the Auschwitz, and Sachsenhausen museums. He enjoyed working out at the gym, attending his synagogue, Congregation B'nai Emunah, on Saturdays and holidays, and visiting with family and friends. Max took particular pleasure in spending time with his girlfriend Linda Semi, a loving friend and travel companion. Linda is truly a blessing to our entire family and will be forever.

Funeral Service Information: Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 11:00am at Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco (Divisadero and Geary), followed by graveside service at Salem Memorial Park in Colma. Sinai Memorial Chapel

415-921-3636