WILLIAMSBURG — Max R. Gietzel, 86, of Williamsburg passed away peacefully on March 21, 2022. Max was born in Lansing, Michigan, on November 10, 1935. After graduation from Eastern High School in Lansing, he attended Michigan State University where he received his degree in mechanical engineering. He spent two years as an army lieutenant in Long Island City, New York. After serving in the army, he joined the Ex-Cell-O Corporation in Detroit and spent the next 35 years as a sales engineer, working in Detroit, Michigan; Rochester, New York; Springfield, New Jersey; and Okemos, Michigan. When he retired, he and Janet settled in Kingsmill on the James.
After her graduation from Michigan State, he married Janet Porter and their lives were blessed with three children: son, Kerry who now lives in Las Vegas; daughter, Wendy and William Murrill in Richmond; and son, Matthew and Kara in Denver. There are two grandchildren: Brandon Murrill in northern Virginia, and Jessica and John Blizard in Seattle; and one great-grandchild, Emmett.
Max found that cruising was his type of vacationing, and he and Janet visited many areas in their more-than-25 cruises, sometimes with their son Kerry.
Once in Kingsmill, Max devoted himself to golfing. He helped run Odd Lots there, and at one time became president of it. During the men’s and then women’s golf tournaments held there, Max worked as a chairman of the hole marshals for many years.
Max was a life-long member of the Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church and a current member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Yorktown, VA.
Services will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Yorktown, VA.
