Max B Gyllenskog

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Max B Gyllenskog, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a courageous year-long battle with VEXAS syndrome. He was 77. 

Born October 4, 1947, in Logan, Utah, to Glen "Duke" and Laurel Bateman Gyllenskog, Max was raised in the small town of Smithfield. He attended school in Smithfield and Richmond and was a proud member of the first graduating class of Sky View High School in 1965. 

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Max served as a missionary in Peru and Colombia. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Utah State University and a master’s degree in Environmental Health from the University of Hawaii. 

On January 9, 1970, Max married the love of his life, Eva Jones, in the Logan Utah Temple. Together, they raised seven children: David, Tonya, Tamra (Shawn Davis) Guvench, Diana (Brent) Cunningham, Brett (Bailey), April (Nate) Chugg, and Leesa (Jaden) Tolman. 

Max dedicated his professional life to public health and service. After completing his education, he joined the United States Public Health Service. His work with the Indian Health Service took his family across the country—to reservations in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Washington, Alaska, and California. Max had a passion for epidemiology and even enjoyed tracking down the sources of rare illnesses like the bubonic plague. He retired with honor in 1993 at the rank of Commander from the United States Public Health Service. 

Following his military retirement, Max returned to Cache Valley and continued serving his community for 17 more years as a health inspector for the Bear River Health Department. He was well-known throughout the valley for his dedication, kindness, and infectious sense of humor. He made friends wherever he went and genuinely loved his work. 

Max dedicated so much time to the young men of the church in five states. As a coach, scoutmaster, fun church leader and a basketball official he was loved and respected by the young men in each of his wards and stakes. 

Max and Eva shared a deep commitment to humanitarian service. He had a keen interest in water purification and regularly taught classes throughout the valley on water storage and emergency preparedness. He led several service missions to the Peruvian Amazon with The Hope Alliance, where he served as a Spanish interpreter and helped fit individuals with eyeglasses. He also helped install water purification systems in the Philippines after a devastating cyclone and served aboard the hospital ship USS Comfort for five months, providing aid throughout the Caribbean, Central, and South America. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Max and Eva came out of retirement to support the Bear River Health Department in its emergency response efforts. He also volunteered at the Veterans Resource Center named in honor of his late brother, Dan. A faithful disciple of Christ, Max served in many church callings throughout his life, including as a counselor in multiple bishoprics. He was deeply proud of his pioneer heritage and had a strong, unwavering testimony of the Savior. 

Max is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Eva; his 7 children; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his brother Jeff (Susan); sisters Joy Page and Jane; sister-in-law Pat; and his lifelong friend, Mike Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Dan; brother-in-law Bob Page; and his beloved in-laws, Ren and Della Jones. A viewing will be held on Monday, June 2, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main Street, Smithfield, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at 11:00 AM at the Smithfield 17th Ward building, located at 340 East 300 South. A visitation will precede the service from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Zoom link for the funeral will be https://zoom.us/j/93484825639, Interment will follow at the Smithfield City Cemetery, with full military honors. 

Max lived a life of service, love, faith, and adventure. His legacy of kindness, courage, sacrifice and compassion will live on in the countless lives he touched.