Maxwell Knauer Dickinson

March 14, 1932 - October 9, 2024

Maxwell Knauer Dickinson, age 92, died peacefully on October 9, 2024. He was born March 14, 1932 to Walter Dare Dickinson (Pete) and Helen Louise Knauer of Jacksonville, Florida.

Max lived his life with heartfelt happiness that he shared through his constant smile and personal greetings to all he encountered; his favorite greeting was “it’s a beautiful day in Paradise!” He truly woke up singing, off-key, but with genuine joy to see the sunrise and Edna. He had steadfast faith in the Lord and was devoted to family and friends, but the love of his life was Edna Louise Spencer. He enjoyed recounting the story of when, at age 17, he looked out the window to see a beautiful girl in a one-piece red bathing suit who was vacationing in the house next door. It was love at first sight!

Max was proud to be a life-long resident of the Jacksonville Beaches and loved where he lived. He graduated, Salutatorian, from Fletcher High School class of 1950, where he played guard on the football team. He attended Yale University and was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and the lightweight rowing team. Max was a contract NROTC student with two years active duty upon graduation; he served with the Sixth Fleet in Europe as an Engineering Officer aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Des Moines. Upon discharge in 1956, he married Edna and they lived in Cambridge, Mass where he received an MBA from Harvard Business School. The couple moved to an oceanfront cottage in Atlantic Beach, their lifetime happy home, where they raised three children. Max commuted to Jacksonville for a 43 year career with Merrill Lynch, proud to partner with his daughter Wendy until they retired in 2001.

Max was known for his evening swim and the premise that salt water cured everything. Weekend rituals were Friday night dinners with “The Gang,” Saturday golf followed by gin rummy with his best friend Ed McCarthy, and church on Sunday. There was always a trip on the calendar as Max loved exploring the world with his travel-mate Edna and many times with “The Gang.” Max and Edna treasured annual trips to High Hampton where they were members of the High Hampton Scramble and Choral Society. Family gatherings were relished, especially Fourth of July and Thanksgiving when the entire family would come together!

Max never met a stranger. Lifelong friends were made wherever he went and maintained through Edna’s extensive Christmas Card list. He was warm, kind, generous, humble and civic-minded. He was a Trustee Emeritus at Episcopal High School of Jacksonville. He was President of the Beaches Historical Society when the new Beaches Museum and History Center was completed in 2006. In 2020, he and his brothers were honored as “Beaches Legends”. He was a life-long active member of the Beaches Rotary Club (President, 1983), ardent supporter of The Boys and Girls Club and Save Our Students. Max served on numerous other organizations during his lifetime of community service.

He is predeceased by his daughter Wyndel (Wendy) Dickinson LaPrade (Marty), brother Franklin Frazier Dickinson, and sister, Carol Dowd (Petra) Dickinson.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Edna Spencer Dickinson. Children; Forrest Dickinson Moore (Chris), Spencer Knauer Dickinson (Susanne), and son-in-law, Martin Edward LaPrade . Grandchildren: Maxwell LaPrade (Joanna), Charles LaPrade (Ashley), Temple Moore (Sarah Kelly), Spencer Moore (Ally), Christopher Moore (Sarah Gray), Nolan Dickinson, and Sinclaire Dickinson (Mike George). Great grandchildren: Estelle LaPrade, Wyndel (Wyn) LaPrade, Sadie Moore and Caroline Moore.

The family will gather for a private graveside service.

All are invited to a Celebration of Life for Maxwell.

Tuesday, November 26. 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The Beaches Museum (381 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

The Beaches Museum https://www.beachesmuseum.org/donate/ ,

Community Hospice and Palliative Care https://thefoundationcares.org/give/

or a favorite charity.