Max Christopher Kennison

Max Christopher Kennison Max Christopher Kennison, 80, of Austin, Texas, passed away on February 2, 2009. He was born in Indiana in 1928 to parents Fred and Fern Kennison. He left home on his own when he was 13 and spent much of his childhood with his uncles and a foster family, 'Ma' and 'Pop' Kyer. Max served in the U.S. Navy at age 18 for 4 years just after WWII. He later volunteered to serve again in the Korean War where he sustained combat injuries which ended his military career. Max was awarded several medals for his service. After returning to the U.S., he completed a Bachelor of Science in engineering at New York University and a master's degree in nuclear physics. Max worked in the field of nuclear engineering and physics at several companies including RCA in New Jersey and later worked in nuclear physics at ORTEC in Tennessee where he made significant contributions in the field of Neutron Spectrometry and had several articles published. His career brought him to Austin, Texas in 1968, and he worked in a similar field at Accelerators, Inc. in Austin, Texas. He spent several years as the business owner of Kwik Kopy. He later formed Microlec, a manufacturer representative company and spent the last years of his working career selling electronic assembly equipment used for circuit board production. After retiring, Max spent much of his time volunteering for different causes in which he believed, particularly for those causes concerning senior citizens. He also volunteered with the Texas Silver Haired Legislature. Max will be remembered for his cheerful and positive nature. He had the uncanny ability to charm most people he met. He was a gifted conversationalist and had many ideas for topics of conversation. Max loved the Port Aransas area and was an avid fisherman. He would often visit the area with his sons when they were younger and taught them lots of clever ways to catch fish. He also taught them to enjoy the experience even when no fish were caught. Max is survived by his four sons, David Kennison (Debra), Chris Kennison (Marilyn), Kevin Kennison (Laura), and Kirk Kennison (Mily); and his two daughters, Evie Delmar (Jim), and Charisse Gamble (Greg). He is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Cook Walden Funeral Home at 6100 N. Lamar Blvd. at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Max Kennison's memory to the Austin Children's Shelter, P.O. Box 684213, Austin, Texas 78768-4213.