Max was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He held a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University as well as a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. He personally designed part of the huge F-1 rocket engine that powered the first humans to the moon. He was also the program manager for the Space Shuttle auxiliary power unit (APU), which is a small but critical rocket engine on the back of the orbiter vehicle. “Man-rated hardware” and “turbo machinery” were proud declarations when he described his work.
While Max did enjoy working on rocket engines, his true passion was golf. He grew up near a golf course and would make money by selling wayward golf balls or caddying, often sneaking onto the links after dark to perfect his game as a teenager. “Keep your left arm straight” was always his one piece of golfing advice later in life.
Fishing was another passion of his. Max fished fresh water in Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake in his youth, then salt water in the Pacific Ocean after he moved to California to start his career. He proudly conquered Salmon in Alaska, Tuna in San Diego, and Dorado in Mexico.
It was in California where he met his wife of 59 years, in a volleyball club that was also a ski club in the winter. Max drove his precious fawn-beige 1961 Corvette to Mammoth and June Mountain on adventurous ski trips, once even losing this prized possession under a deep blanket of snow.
Max is survived by his wife Loretta Artimus Peck, sons Mark Brian Reck and Randy Kreuger Reck.
Max Reck Zoom Recording
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