Max is survived by his wife Eileen Stanger, Son Michael Stanger, Daughter Lori Miller and her husband Mike Miller, Grandson Daniel Cruz and his wife Kristen Cruz, Granddaughters Nikita Stanger, Kaylee Stanger and her partner Roy Young, Great Granddaughters Lily Cruz and Shelby-Lynn Aurora Young, along with several nieces and nephews. Max was preceded in death by his father Walter Lee Stanger, his mother Lucille Van Steenhoven and brother Jack Stanger.
In 1954 Max enlisted in the Army that led him to be stationed in Japan. Upon returning to the states Max was honorably discharged from active duty in the grade of Staff Sergeant. In addition to weapons proficiency awards, his military decorations included but not limited to, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.
In 1958, the 22-year-old Max started electronic school on the GI Bill and supplemented his income by working in a local gas station in Michigan. This is when he met the love of his life Eileen. Max knew this is the woman he would marry. He told her he was not planning on staying in Michigan and would be moving to California. Max did just that, he was a man of his word. Eileen followed him soon after and they were married on March 25, 1961, in Long Beach, California. This is where Max started his electronic engineering career with Autonectics, then went to Hughes Aircraft and ended his career with the City of Riverside. They raised their children in Stanton, California. They moved to Moreno Valley, California in 1987 and then to Hemet, California in 2004 to spend their retirement days travelling the world by car, motorhome, plane and or a cruise ship. Closer to home he enjoyed social events with his Hemet Hills community, his favorite activity with them was BINGO.
Max will be remembered as devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, and respected 50+ member of Masonic organizations and community leader. Max always had a smile that made him approachable. Max was known as “Mr. Fix it”; you would find him often tinkering away in his workshop fixing or inventing something. He was a kind and spiritual man who helped anyone with a need.
