Philip Max Hauk, better known as “Max” to his family and friends, was born to Frank and Joy Hauk on April 11, 1926, quietly passed away on May 9, 2021, after a blessed 95 years full of adventure.

Max was a spunky child, to say the least, blessed with Dyslexia in a time when this learning disability was not understood. He spent his time capturing skunks with his brother, growing and selling produce, learning how to fix anything, performing various farm chores, and working as a ranch hand. He graduated 8th grade and, at the encouragement of his mother, left home to make his way in the world unable to read but full of ambition and persistence.

He arrived in Wall in 1942 and worked any job he could find. He built his first house at the age of 20, married Donna Hemness in 1948, and had five children. He proceeded to satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit through a myriad of businesses and hobbies including concrete construction, general contractor, raised tropical fish, fossil hunter and rock polisher, produce sales, ran the city pool, served as the Chief of the volunteer fire department for 8 years, set off the City fireworks displays, built his first motel and two restaurants, built his second house, and too many other business ventures to count.

In 1971 Max married Nancy Lewis and gained a daughter. During their 49-year marriage, he finished building a second motel, made wood carvings, planted an orchard in their yard, gardened extensively, raised a granddaughter from two months old through graduation, bought Nancy a cow and a brand, was a beekeeper, built another house, created animals out of cement, and fixed just about everything anybody from the community brought to him. He even raised a crow and four magpies. Max built the Wall Cemetery entrance and contributed in many ways to the local community. He enjoyed travel, both foreign and domestic, including many hunting and fishing trips, skiing, cruises, and a trip to Europe. As a lover of music, he spent countless days dancing with Nancy and playing his drums in their small band.

When you look around the local communities, Max’s legacy of ingenuity and ambition live on in the more than 20 beautiful and efficient fireplaces he created in stone and cement, the buildings he built that are still standing strong, and the success of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who continue to demonstrate that anything is possible with hard work, determination, tenacity, and a little bit of artistry.

Max is survived by his wife Nancy Hauk; his children: Karen Moore, Darla Mullanix, Phillip Hauk, Tammy Lewis, and Summer Jakopak; his sister Mary Joy; and numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sons Roger and Richard Hauk; his parents Frank and Joy Hauk; his sister Jean Burns; and his brother George Hauk.

A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, at Rush Funeral Home in Wall.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at the United Methodist Church in Wall with Dave Olson officiating.

Interment will follow at the Wall Cemetery.