Max Thomas Nigh

Max Thomas Nigh - engineer, inventor, musician, clogger, carpenter, winemaker, and caregiver - passed away peacefully in Conway Arkansas on February 17, 2026, at the age of 103.

He was born December 28, 1922, in Mead, Nebraska, to Harry Edward and Mabel Edna Nigh. In 1944 he married the love of his life, Edna Marie Nielsen. They shared 75 years together and raised two children, Ron and Nira. Max remained devoted to Edna throughout her life and after her passing in 2019. He was a veteran of the US Army in World War II.

Max graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in chemical engineering. His career took him to St. Paul, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked with 3M before moving to California to work at IBM. At IBM he contributed to the development of early hard disk technology and data storage services; he was awarded a patent and received two Outstanding Contribution Awards for Technical Development for his work during the formative years of modern computing. A lifelong learner and inventive problem-solver, he embraced new technologies while maintaining a wide-range of personal interests. He played bluegrass on guitar, produced award-winning homemade wine, and, by most accounts, brewed a respectable beer as well.

After retirement, Max and Edna bought a sailboat and spent a decade sailing the Pacific Northwest from Seattle. They traveled extensively, spent winters in Naples, Florida, and in 1989 built their home in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas - a place that became central to their lives. Max was closely involved in the home's design and took particular pride in its deck with a disappearing railing.

In Fairfield Bay he remained actively engaged in the community, playing music, learning to clog, attending Mountain View folk music events, and participating in community life. He was a HAM radio enthusiast, a skilled carpenter, a founding member of the Fairfield Bay Yacht Club, and a member of the Kirk of the Hills church.

He was also a regular at the Hart Center, attending Silver Sneakers classes until the week before his passing.

He is survived by his daughter, Nira Horeis (Alan) and his daughter-in-law Kippy Nigh; his grandchildren Asha (Ricardo), Amy (Roberto), and Ian Nigh (Ame) and Eva Elder (Rich), Anne Petersen (Jared), and Erich Horeis (Vanessa); and 14 great-grandchildren (Benjamin, Naima, Max, Rio, Alec, Arun, Numi, and Ryo, Soren, Ander, Jack, Blake, Felix and Gretl).

Max's death coincided with a rare "Ring of Fire" eclipse. His ashes will be combined with those of his beloved wife Edna and spread near the Platte River, where the Whooping Cranes rest.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in honor of Max on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:30 am, at Kirk of the Hills Church in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas followed by a reception.

Clinton Funeral Service is honored to have been entrusted with arrangements for the Nigh family. We welcome you to share your thoughts and memories of Max on our Memory Wall.