On Saturday, February 9, 2008, the Greater Highline area and the world at large lost a friend in the death of CDR Max J. Roushman, Jr., when he "slipped the surly bonds of earth ..." and passed over to the other side. The combined efforts of the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department and King Count Medic One were unable to bring him back.
Max was born in Cascade, Montana, on August 29, 1919, and always carried the spirit of the "Big Sky Country" in his heart. He displayed those values in his daily words and actions.
He joined the U.S. Navy before Pearl Harbor and after that "Day of Infamy" - December 7, 1941 - went to flight training and became a respected naval aviator. Most of his naval career was spent as the personal pilot to the U.S. Commander of Naval Forces, Pacific Fleet, from Admiral Nimitz to Admiral McCain, Senator John McCain's father. When the latter was released from a North Vietnamese prison, Max was sent to fly him home.
On his retirement from the Navy in the mid-1970s, Max bought a house in the Highline area and settled his family across the street from one of the neighborhood fire stations, No. 29, in Manhattan. Max and his son, "Maxie," joined the fire service as volunteers and quickly became Emergency Medical Technicians to better help their fellow citizens-in-need. When the station siren sounded, Max and Maxie came running across the street from their home, to the station, often the first to jump on the truck before it raced to the fire or medical emergency. After the fire, the volunteers would pile into the Roushman family kitchen for hot coffee and pancakes and eggs, served by Max and his wife, Joey.
Max went on to serve consecutive terms as an elected fire district commissioner for the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department.
Max joined DeMolay as a young man, was a lifetime Mason and served the community as a "Shriner."
He was a "doer," a "joiner," one of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation," who never uttered a complaint or unkind word about anything or anyone, was always the first to volunteer and was ready with a suggestion, "Say, what if we tried this...." Max kept his hammer, his fire helmet and his checkbook within arm's reach. He helped start and sustain over the decades the fire department's "Christmas Outreach" program and played Santa Claus, handing out food and gifts to people and children in need.
Max's death is like the blowing out of a candle, leaving in its place a luminescent darkness. For that generation it is the turning of the final page. We will not see his kind again and God knows we could use a few more like him now. He was a son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, "officer and a gentleman," a raconteur, the "Commander" and one of those special breed - a "Naval Aviator." No one ever wore the stunning Blue & Gold with greater pride and dignity than Max Roushman, Jr.!
The "Younger Generations" would do well to take some inspiration from him, pick up his gold wings and power "into the blue"... Try 'em on ... I dare you! In the meantime, Max - old, dear friend - take your rest. It is well earned. Hail and farewell
