Max Engert

Max Engert exited this world to rest in eternal peace on March 3, 2021 in Lakeway, Texas. Max was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 17, 1929 to Samuel and Winifred Rhea (Lawrence) Meyerhardt. The family settled in Fort Worth, where his parents divorced when he was a young child. His mother then remarried Delius William Engert who raised Max as his son.

After graduating from Pascal High School, Max served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952 and then attended University of Texas at Austin, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1958. While in college, Max met his first love, Patsy (Pat) Ann Doty and they were wed in a garden ceremony at the bride’s home in Cleburne, Texas on July 14, 1956. They had one daughter, Theresa Liane, who happily received their deep affection and support.

Max spent most of his professional life working for NASA at the Johnson Space Center. His work included many important projects to support manned space flight and exploration including the development the first camera used on the moon. Max retired from NASA in 1992 as Deputy Director of Engineering for the Johnson Space Center managing over 600 civil servants and 1,400 contractors. Throughout almost 30 years of service, he received several commendations for his work including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 as part of the Apollo XIII mission; the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1983 and the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive awarded to him by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

Max was blessed to have married three marvelous women, each of whom he adored completely and uniquely. After Pat passed in 1990, Max met the second love of his life, Vera Ruth Negus whom he married in 1991. Shortly after, Max and Vera moved to Lakeway to begin a fun-filled retirement life including golf, travel, entertaining and spending time with extended family. After Vera’s passing in 2011, Max experienced the intensity of true love again with Glenda. They were wed in 2012 and together enjoyed the remaining years of his life which were challenged by the onset of Alzheimer’s in 2017.

Max will always be remembered as an exemplary and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a curious intellect who fostered a spirit of joy and commitment to excellence. He was steadfast and always acted with radical empathy and unconditional love. Throughout his life, he enjoyed gardening, golf, college basketball and March Madness, reading across many subjects, debating the issues of the day with his daughter, music with a special affinity for Big Band and Mariachi, and the warmth of Texas sunshine.

He is survived by his wife Glenda Foreman Engert, his daughter Theresa Womble and her husband Gregory, his grandchildren Millicent Womble, Emerson Womble and Maren Womble, and his brother Kirk Engert and his wife Gina. In addition, Max loved and cherished the children and grandchildren of his second wife Vera including Valrie Mintzer and her son Zachary Mintzer, Steve Wolfson and his wife Vivian and their children Lauren and Angela, the late Lisa Kabus and her husband Al and their children Lindsey and Matt; as well as the family of his last wife Glenda including Denise Medina and husband, Ralph; Dianne Foreman; Doris Crouch and husband, Hubert; Douglas Foreman; David Foreman and wife, Betina; Daniel Foreman and wife Jacquelyn and all of their children and grandchildren. In addition to Max’s parents and first two wives, he was preceded in death by his sister, Julianna Meyerhardt Mayhon and his brother, John Engert.

The family has planned a Mass of Christian Burial to be held Friday, May 14, 2020 at 11:00 am at Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org or to Emmaus Catholic Church Parish, 1718 Lohman’s Crossing Road, Lakeway, Texas 78734.