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Alexander Maxwell Obituary
Alex was educated by the Jesuits in Yakima at Marquette HS where he became enthralled with Latin. Alex joined the Order in 1954, where he studied spirituality, Classical Latin and Greek, philosophy and the humanities. There he developed his love of language and art and sharpened his sense of humor. He often quoted Oscar Wilde: Life is far too important to be taken seriously. Alex truly believed that laughter is the best medicine.
Alex left the religious life in 1964 to become a teacher, first at Gonzaga Prep and later at Shoreline Community College where he taught English, Greek and Roman Classics and European literature.
As an athlete in his early years, Alex excelled at boxing on the Marquette team and rock-climbing with the Cascadians. Later he enjoyed competing on the handball court with fellow faculty members, on the soccer field with local leagues and more recently he had taken up ping pong.
Alex loved Classical music, with a special fondness for Beethoven. He sang with choral groups in the Jesuits and sometimes broke out spontaneously in operatic solos at family gatherings. His collection of classical music CDs numbers in the thousands. He appreciated the beauty of music and art as transcendent experiences.
Alex is survived by KC, his wife of 37 years, and by his three daughters and three grandchildren.
He was a loving and much beloved man. He will be missed.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Alex' life in the Bistro Auditorium at the Chateau Bothell Landing, Bldg. D from 2:00-5:00 PM on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, please give to your favorite charity in memory of Alex.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Maxwell
Sponsored by The Family.
Scott Mallett
February 14, 2025
Feb 14 2025
Just thinking back on those years when I was at shoreline CC. 1973/4 1983 or so.... It took me a while to bring the names to mind but finally did ....a search brought me here.... I'm sad to realize Alex passed so long ago. As I'm now 70 myself it is a little profound to contemplate our past and present. I was blessed to have KC present the history of art to me. Alex was just one of those impressive faculty guys that I never wound up having in a class I was taking. But then KC just barely let it be known that she had noticed him and I could see how she might be able to be happy .... 37 years... I guess it was happy enough... I'm thankful
Mike Webb
October 18, 2018
I was a student of Alex's in the summer of 1993. I had a lit course on the Greeks. Alex always cracked me up with his dialogue and sense of humor. It would have been a dull summer quarter without him. I'll always remember Alex as a big part of my education at Shoreline CC.
I came across this obituary tonight October 18, 2018. I'm sorry to read of his passing. Take care & God bless.
Jerry Anderson
September 16, 2018
Alex was my English teacher at Shoreline CC in 1988 and was truly amazing! His energy and passion combined with his wit and creativity, inspired me in life and the completion of a bachelor degree at Carroll College. He was so funny, standing on top of his desk, speaking at the top of his lungs, mans greatest fear. Every class I looked forward to and will always remember him!
My father as a young boy
Stephanie Maxwell
January 20, 2018
You will be dearly missed Dad. We all loved you so. Xoxo
Juliaette Johnson
January 17, 2018
I just discovered this Obituary tonight. I first met Alex at age 17. I was a student at Shoreline Community College. Alex will be missed by all those who knew, and loved him. Condolences to the Maxwell family.
Captain J. Johnson, USPHS, Ret.
Washington D.C
Harlan Erickson
January 17, 2018
Rest easy, Alex Maxwell.
I had the great pleasure of taking English 102 with Alex and appreciate how hard he pushed us all to think critically about the topic we were researching, and to investigate our work in a multidimensional manner. As students, our initial research topics were assigned, and predominantly not subjects that suited our preference or writing-style. Alex's intention was to push us to write effectively about something we viewed with disdain so that we could write brilliantly about a subject we showed passion for.
God bless you, sir.
Don and Sandi McVay
January 16, 2018
In Memory of Alex Maxwell
Emeritus
Humanities
It was with great sorrow that I heard of the passing of Alex. He was a wonderful friend and colleague at Shoreline Community College and I treasure his nickname for me that he always used when meeting each other How you doing DRMcNut
Two events on campus and off campus immediately come to mind when thinking of Alex. On campus I taught an interdisciplinary course with Alex entitled Human and Animal Behavior. Alex was alway looking for ways to integrate the Sciences and the Humanities for our students. This method of teaching focuses on all of the ways that these two disciplines can be integrated, instead of being at odds with each other, which is sometimes the case.
A good example of this was the interface between music and biology. Alex loved Mozart and I love birds so what better way to discuss these apparently disparate subjects than teaching the relationship between Mozart's Piano Concerto in G major and his pet Starling. While Mozart lived in Vienna he was composing this concerto when he heard a Starling in a nearby pet shop vocalizing the exact melody of the music he was composing, apparently the music carrying through an open widow to the pet shop in the street below.
Mozart immediately purchased the bird to be his pet. For our students, of course, this opened the whole idea of the ability of a bird being able to mimic the sounds of this piano piece. Alex was able to get the musical score and play it on the piano for the students in the class. The lively discussion of bird song and human vocalization was the end result of how the Humanities and the Sciences can be integrated, and especially the love for music that permeated the life of Alex. (read Mozart's Starling, Lyanda Haupt, 2017)
Off campus, Alex and KC loved the area around Yakima, his ancestral home. On one memorable occasion we took advantage of the proximity of the Yakima River to kayak through the Yakima River Canyon. We launched our kayaks on a warm summer day just south of Ellensburg and paddled our way to just above the Roza Dam. For approximately 25 miles we floated through rapids and mostly gentle currents observing the basaltic rock formations and desert outcropping. Alex marveled at the geological formations as well as the wildlife that we saw along the way. He was extremely proud of his dad, who was a foremost mountaineer in the state of Washington and obviously passed on to Alex a love for the outdoors. We will savor all of these memories and many more of our dear friend Alex Maxwell and condolences to KC and his family.
Don McVay
Emeritus
Biology
Don and Sandi McVay
January 16, 2018
In Memory of Alex Maxwell
Emeritus
Humanities
It was with great sorrow that I heard of the passing of Alex. He was a wonderful friend and colleague at Shoreline Community College and I treasure his nickname for me that he always used when meeting each other How you doing DRMcNut
Two events on campus and off campus immediately come to mind when thinking of Alex. On campus I taught an interdisciplinary course with Alex entitled Human and Animal Behavior. Alex was alway looking for ways to integrate the Sciences and the Humanities for our students. This method of teaching focuses on all of the ways that these two disciplines can be integrated, instead of being at odds with each other, which is sometimes the case.
A good example of this was the interface between music and biology. Alex loved Mozart and I love birds so what better way to discuss these apparently disparate subjects than teaching the relationship between Mozarts Piano Concerto in G major and his pet Starling. While Mozart lived in Vienna he was composing this concerto when he heard a Starling in a nearby pet shop vocalizing the exact melody of the music he was composing, apparently the music carrying through an open widow to the pet shop in the street below.
Mozart immediately purchased the bird to be his pet. For our students, of course, this opened the whole idea of the ability of a bird being able to mimic the sounds of this piano piece. Alex was able to get the musical score and play it on the piano for the students in the class. The lively discussion of bird song and human vocalization was the end result of how the Humanities and the Sciences can be integrated, and especially the love for music that permeated the life of Alex. (read Mozarts Starling, Lyanda Haupt, 2017)
Off campus, Alex and KC loved the area around Yakima, his ancestral home. On one memorable occasion we took advantage of the proximity of the Yakima River to kayak through the Yakima River Canyon. We launched our kayaks on a warm summer day just south of Ellensburg and paddled our way to just above the Roza Dam. For approximately 25 miles we floated through rapids and mostly gentle currents observing the basaltic rock formations and desert outcropping. Alex marveled at the geological formations as well as the wildlife that we saw along the way. He was extremely proud of his dad, who was a foremost mountaineer in the state of Washington and obviously passed on to Alex a love for the outdoors. We will savor all of these memories and many more of our dear friend Alex Maxwell and condolences to KC and his family.
Don McVay
Emeritus
Biology
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