Dear Knots,
We learned last week that Max Jennings, a woodworker, Knots member, and retired newspaper editor, died last week during a ski trip.
Max was leading a recent discussion on Knots, soliciting ideas for a new workshop he was planning to build (21239.1 ). His idea was to use all the best ideas from the discussion to create what he called the “Fine Woodworking Reader’s Dream Shop.” Aside from enjoying the shop in his retirement, he planned to write an article for the magazine on his experience.
Below is a link to the obituary published in the Dayton Daily News where he was editor for a number of years. (free registration is required). Or read an excerpt.
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. A1
HEADLINE: Jennings recalled for his zest for journalism; Retired editor of Dayton Daily News died Wednesday
BYLINE: By Benjamin Kline [email protected]
Max Jennings, editor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Dayton Daily News from 1987 to 1997 and a principal founder of the popular Kids Voting program, died Wednesday on a ski slope at Taos, N.M., where he and his wife Carol had resided since Oct. 1. He was 63. Forget about funerals. In accordance with his wishes, a party will celebrate his life next month in Phoenix, where he worked some 15 years…
… Mr. Jennings’ Taos retirement was typical of his busy lifestyle. He’d planned to build a workshop that would be featured in Fine Woodworking magazine. He had signed up to freelance for the Albuquerque Journal for the people he’d get to meet and write about, his wife said – a champion fly fisherman, for instance.
www.daytondailynews.com/obituary/ content/obituary/daily/0218max.html
Matt Berger
Taunton New Media
Edited 2/28/2005 9:06 am ET by m berger
Replies
The anonymity of the internet coupled with pseudonyms makes it difficult to get attached to people. There are some here who use their real names and I find I'm definitely more connected to them, for better or worse.
I don't know if his death was a good thing or not but dying on a ski slope beats the hell out of rotting away in a hospital bed.
Rest in Peace, Max.
Lee
This is the kind of thing that gives you perspective. One day you're planning the dream that you've worked all your life for, and the next day, your family is planning your memorial party. I guess it's never too early to ask yourself..."Am I doing the things I want to be doing?" In my "real" life, I help people plan for retirement. But I also tell them, you can't put off all your plans for a retirement that you may not be around for.That said, Lee, I couldn't agree more.
Its always tuff to read about that stuff. As I get older I always wonder about starting big projects. You never know!
Bear
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