Max Hodel
May 23, 1925 -
Dec 22, 2021
Max Hodel, 96.5, died peacefully at his home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Dec. 22, 2021, with his beloved wife of 61 years, Joanne, at his side, along with his six children, multiple grandchildren, and sons- and grandsons-in-laws.
Max was born in Dodson, Texas, in the panhandle, on May 23, 1925, to Otto and Hazel Hodel. He had a profound respect for his parents, who struggled to raise the family during the Great Depression. Times were tough, but they were rich in family, friends and love, and there was always food on the table. This era forged his character and made him a member of the Greatest Generation.
A World War II veteran, Max enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at 18 years old, and served as a cryptographer in the Pacific Theater from New Guinea to the Philippines. After the surrender, Hodel was one of the very first troops that landed in Japan. He recounted walking through the empty streets of Tokyo, observing residents peeking from their windows. Hearing piano music coming from a building, Max met an expat American music teacher who proceeded to berate him and the Americans for the war. It turned out radio propagandist Tokyo Rose's studio had been down the hall, and this was the Radio Tokyo building. Hodel found the xylophone that started each broadcast, but decided to leave it behind.
In 1950, inspired by stories of Alaska told by a former pioneering school teacher, and a zeal for adventure, Hodel convinced two friends to venture north on a 16-day drive up the Alcan, at that time hardly a gravel path. Though intending a short visit, within days of arriving in Anchorage, Max took a job with Inlet Motors to help the owner who had lost his bookkeeper. A love for Alaska quickly took root and Hodel ended up buying the Studebaker dealership, at age 25. In the 60s, Max was approached by Alaska Sales and Service and soon became part owner and managing partner for the next 30 years, building it into one of the largest General Motors dealership in the country at the time.
Hodel was civic minded and continuously worked to improve his community and state. Max was a founder of Commonwealth North, co-chaired by governors Egan and Hickel, and served as president for the first eight years, guiding the organization in making major contributions in public policy for the state of Alaska. Commonwealth North brought together notable leaders from the private and public sector in a genuine spirit of civic bipartisanship. Hodel served on many other boards, including Providence Hospital, for over 20 years, Alaska Methodist University - now APU, and most rewardingly, Holy Rosary Academy, where many of his grandchildren still attend. Hodel concluded his life of public service in his mid-60s, serving as Governor Hickel's Chief of Staff for the first two years of his term. He was then appointed Special Envoy to Japan and the Far East representing Alaskan interests, for the remainder of Hickel's term.
Max enjoyed many Alaska passions, and was an accomplished fisherman, mariner and aviator. His tales include catching a 57 pound king salmon - 1 oz. daredevil - on the Deshka, and discovering a mythical oyster bed in British Columbia that was abundant beyond belief, the location of which remains top secret to this day. He was a natural and careful pilot and enjoyed flying throughout Alaska and the Lower 48 for almost 60 years.
But a passion for classical music proved most fortuitous for Hodel's future. Max joined the Anchorage Community Chorus in the mid-50s, joyfully singing great choral masterpieces under the occasional direction of the renowned Robert Shaw. He made lifelong friends there, including one who set Max up on a blind date with Joanne Seeley, also in the chorus. Hodel had plans to leave Alaska to pursue studies at UC Santa Barbara, but he couldn't quite forget Joanne and thus began a beautiful correspondence - he was quite the letter-writer! Max yearned for a return to Alaska, and for Joanne, whom he married on Sept. 3, 1960.
Max and Joanne lovingly raised six children, plus one more, the daughter of dear friends, after the four-year-old's mother died. Max cherished Joanne and was devoted to her until the day he died. Family was Hodel's greatest and proudest accomplishment. He was a kind and loving father and taught by example. He was honest and fair, and never spoke a bad word about anyone.
Max delighted in his 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and the feeling was mutual. No sacrifice was too great for his family. When granddaughter, Lael, was diagnosed with Leukemia on her second birthday and medevacked to Childrens' Hospital in Seattle, her mother was advanced in pregnancy and unable to travel. Though in his late 70s, Max spent every night for two months sleeping by her hospital bed until she was released, and continued to care for her at home until her full recovery.
Max Hodel was a man of quiet but deep faith. He became a Catholic in 1981, but even prior to his conversion, he attended Mass with his wife and children every Sunday faithfully. He was a daily communicant at Holy Family Cathedral for many years. Max was asked by the late Archbishop Francis Hurley to help plan an unexpected visit of Pope John Paul II to Anchorage in 1981, with only 42 days notice of the arrival. Max had the idea to hold Mass on the park strip, rather than an airport hangar, in order for more people to attend. An estimated 60,000 people showed - the largest crowd ever gathered in the state - despite below freezing temperatures. Max was proud to design the Alaska model of the "pope mobile."
While Max will be dearly missed by his family, they are greatly consoled that he had a "holy death" with all the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, after a long and well-lived life.
In addition to his wife, Joanne, Max is survived by his children, John Hodel, Chris Hodel, Jennifer Mezich (Walt), Michelle Hodel, all of Anchorage, Karen McLaughlin (Jeffery) of Pleasanton, Calif., Megan Hodel Klekotka (Joe) of Seattle, and Toi Phillips (Suat) of New York City; grandchildren, Andrew Mezich, Ryan Mezich, Max Mezich (Jennifer), Spencer Mezich (Caitlyn), Anne Marie Droege, Patrick Hodel, Lael Roberts (Jordan), Catherine Hodel, Mary Elizabeth Hodel, David Hodel, Christopher Hodel and Joseph Hodel; and great-grandchildren, Maisie Lynn and Marlon Mezich.
A funeral Mass took place at Holy Family Cathedral on Dec. 29, 2021. The burial will take place on May 26, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to benefit Holy Rosary Academy in Anchorage, www.hraak.org.
