Max A. Hoefgen

Max A. Hoefgen, 85, died Saturday, December 16, at Brewster Place Health Center surrounded by family. He was born on October 1, 1921 in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Samuel B. and Melva Markley Hoefgen. Max was graduated from Springfield Senior High School in 1939, and then started college, which was interrupted by four years of service with the U. S. Army during World War II. Upon his return, he resumed classes and was graduated from Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University) in 1947. He began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company that same year. He retired in 1983 as Engineering Operations Manager-Outside Plant. Following the breakup of the Bell system, he accepted a position with the State of Kansas as Project Construction Manager to help create a communications system, based on fiber optics, for the State.
On March 24, 1951, he was married to Mildred Cox in Springfield, Missouri. Max was a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ Church, and in Topeka joined First Christian Church where he served in many capacities, including elder and moderator. He was honored with the title of Elder Emeritus in July of 2005. He served on the Board of the First Christian Church Apartments for many years. Before marriage, Max became involved with The Boy Scouts of America, first serving as Advancement Chairman for a Wichita troop. He continued working with the Scouts when he moved to Topeka in 1965, eventually becoming the Council Commissioner for the Jayhawk Area Council. Max was instrumental in building the COPE Course at Camp Jayhawk. He received the Silver Beaver and other awards from the Jayhawk Area Council.
Max also belonged to the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, the Wichita Business Promotion Club, Advisory Committee for the Wichita Area Planning Commission, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Topeka Engineers Club, and Telephone Pioneers, among other organizations. One of his special interests was the American Right of Way Association, for which he served as a member of the International Utilities Committee, a chapter president, and a member of the Executive Board.
Max was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who was always available as a mentor or supporter, whatever the need might have been. He became a self-taught cabinetmaker and left a legacy of beautiful furniture for all of his family as well as for many friends.
Max was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Nelson and Warren, and his sister, Helen Kemp.
He is survived by his wife Millie and his four children: Karen Bogadi of Spencer, Iowa; Lynn and wife Ruth Harvey of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Deb Kimbell and husband Dave of Spencer, Iowa; and Jeff and wife Lisa of Bedford, Texas. Max took great pride in his ten grandchildren: Steven Bogadi of New Orleans, Louisiana; Anne Bogadi and husband Patrick Mohr of Winnemucca, Nevada; Rachel, Moriah and Nathan Hoefgen-Harvey of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Andy and Becca Kimbell of Spencer, Iowa; Brent Kimbell of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Trevor and Grace Hoefgen of Bedford, Texas.
A celebration of Max's life will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday at First Christian Church with Dr. James McCullough presiding. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 A.M. in the church's Fellowship Hall. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Clear Creek Cemetery, Springfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1880 Gage, Topeka, KS 66604 or to the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1020 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS 66612.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.