Max throwing a football in High School
1906-1930:
Starting Out
In 1908, Max Martin Fisher is born, and the following year, his father, William, buys a clothing store in Salem, Ohio. Max grows up in Salem, entering high school in 1923 and excelling in football. In 1926, Max graduates high school and enrolls at Ohio State University on a football scholarship. He joins a mostly Jewish fraternity, and when he loses his football scholarship due to injuries, he delivers ice to cover his expenses. In 1930, Max graduates from Ohio State University and moves to Detroit, where his parents and sisters have relocated.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Fisher with Henry E. Wenger and William E. Slaughter, Jr. in the mid-1950s.
1931-1953:
Entering the Oil Business
Max is hired by his father as a salesman for Keystone Oil Refining Company plant in 1931. In 1933, Max finds an investor, Henry E. Wenger, for his plan to build a refinery. Max marries Sylvia Krell in 1934, and in the wake of the fuel scarcity in 1938, he makes one of the savviest business deals of his career. Max’s business, the Aurora Gasoline Company, continues its success throughout the 1950s. In 1952, Fisher’s wife Sylvia passes away, and he marries Marjorie Switow Frehling in 1953.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max Fisher with Israeli Finance Minister Levi Eshkol.
1954-1961:
An Interest in Philanthropy Combined With Business Success
Max travels to Israel in 1954 on a UJA study mission, piquing his interest in fundraising upon his return. In 1955, Aurora buys out the quarter interest held by Keystone Oil Refining Company, William Fisher’s business. Max becomes more involved in Detroit’s Jewish community, serving as President of the Jewish Welfare Federation and joining a United Jewish Appeal mission to Israel and Europe. On the business front he merges Aurora Gasoline with The Ohio Oil Company, the latter becoming Marathon Oil Company in 1962.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max Fisher Receives the Fred M. Butzel Award for Distinguished Community Service from the Jewish Federation of Detroit.
1962-1965:
Continued Service
Max is very active in helping improve Detroit. In 1964, he becomes President of Detroit’s United Foundation. He also expands his service in the Jewish community, taking leadership positions and running successful fund-raising events. In 1965, he negotiates a $50 million loan from 11 insurance companies to the support the Jewish Agency for Israel, being elected its General Chairman later that year.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max M. Fisher with President Richard Nixon, shortly after Nixon won the 1968 election.
1966-1969:
Increasing His Political Involvement
Max is appointed Chairman of New Detroit in 1968, founded to address the city’s racial tensions that culminated in the riots of 1967. Max’s political involvement increases, as he is named the finance chair for George Romney’s bid to win the Republican Presidential nomination and attends the Republican National Convention as a delegate-at-large from Michigan. Once Richard Nixon wins the Republican nomination, Max works on his campaign.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max Fisher with Richard Nixon and George Romney in the White House
1970-1971:
Builder of Bridges
Max’s reputation in Detroit’s business community continues to grow, and politically, he continues to establish himself as an integral link between President Nixon and the Jewish community, helping to ease tensions brought about by Secretary of State William Rogers’ Middle East peace plan. In 1970, Max is a key figure in reaching consensus among the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish American community, and a founder of the Detroit Renaissance in an effort to revitalize inner city Detroit.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max M. Fisher with President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in the Oval Office in 1975.
1972-1975:
A Change Of Administrations
In 1972, Max is awarded the Presidential Star for his support and fund-raising in Nixon’s re-election campaign. Max continues to work with the Nixon Administration while the Watergate scandal grows. After Nixon resigns, Max travels to Israel in 1975 to help President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger understand that their goals for Middle East peace were shared by Israeli leaders. Max backs his friend Al Taubman’s purchase of the 73,000 Irvine Ranch.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max M. Fisher with Henry Ford II at the United Jewish Appeal Dinner in New York
1976-1980:
Henry Ford II Honored
In 1976, Max plays a major role in Ford’s re-election campaign, helping him to get 45% of the Jewish vote in an unsuccessful bid for a second term. The Renaissance Center opens, and the Wall Street Journal runs a feature article about Max. He retires as Chairman of the Board of United Brands, and in late 1979, presents his friend Henry Ford II with the first UJA Humanitarian Award.
Credit: Camera Arts Studio
"A Start For Change" Address by Max
1981-1982:
The Reconstituted Jewish Agency
Max works with Leon Dulzin to solidify the Zionist and philanthropist factions of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and he receives an award from UJA for his role in its reconstitution. His work with President Reagan escalates, as he meets with the President and other Republican leaders to discuss growing anti-Semitism and the sale of AWACS to Saudi Arabia. 1982 brings success for Max’s business holdings, as his ownership in the Irvine Ranch is bought out, and U.S Steel purchases Marathon Oil. His labor of love for the city of Detroit, the Riverfront residential project, breaks ground.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max Fisher and Al Taubman celebrate with the USFL champion Michigan Panthers
1983-1987:
Championship Season
1983 is a year of honors for Max. He invests in a professional football team with his friend Al Taubman, which won the USFL championship. In the mid-1980s, Max continues to garner service awards and find success in fundraising. In 1984, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development presents Max with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work in Detroit. On a personal note, he is bar mitzvahed in Jerusalem. His “Fisher Meeting” events raise more than $17 million for the Allied Jewish Campaign.
Credit: Jonathon J. Malhalab
Max Fisher and Richard Nixon at Fisher's home in Detroit.
1988-1990:
A Republican Elder Statesman
In 1988, Max and Marjorie honor President Richard Nixon at a private dinner at their home, and Max speaks at the GOP National Convention on behalf of the National Jewish Republican Coalition. President Reagan speaks at a dinner celebrating Max’s 80th birthday. Max continues to lend his expertise to the Presidential office, forming the “No Name Committee” and meeting with President George H.W. Bush to discuss the emigration of Soviet Jews to the U.S. Max is appointed to the President’s Export Council.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
In 1992, Peter Golden's definitive biography of Max Fisher, "Quiet Diplomat," was published.
1991-1994:
Quiet Diplomat
In early 1992, Peter Golden’s biography of Max’s amazing life, Quiet Diplomat, is published. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit opens its headquarters in the Max M. Fisher building, and later that year, Detroit Monthly magazine names Max the second most powerful person in the city. Max’s generosity and philanthropy continue, as he announces a $20 million gift to the Ohio State University College of Business to help construct a multi-building campus to house the renamed Fisher College of Business.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Max Fisher with a few of the distinguished guests at his 90th birthday celebration: Henry Kissinger, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.
1997-2005:
“The Amazing Life of Max Fisher”
In July 1998, Max celebrates his 90th birthday with a black tie dinner with friends and family. Later that year, the Jewish National Fund names a 10,000-tree forest outside of Jerusalem in honor of him. At the age of 91, the Detroit News names Max the 2000 Michiganian of the Year. His donation to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra allows them to open the Max M. Fisher Music Center, prompting the Detroit Free Press to run a front page tribute to Max entitled “The Amazing Life of Max Fisher.” In March 2005, Max dies of natural causes at his home in Franklin, Michigan.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
1906
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1911
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1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
Velvil Fisch Sails for America
Malka Fisch Sails for America
Fishers Move to Salem, Ohio
Fisher Family Moves to Cleveland
Delivering Ice to Pay College Expenses
William Fisher Moves Family to Detroit
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
William Fisher Hires Max as a Salesman
William Fisher Buys Out Partners
Aurora Buys Speedway 79
Wife Sylvia Dies
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
Aurora Gas Co. Chairman
1962
1963
1964
1965
The Ohio Oil Company Changes Name to Marathon Oil Company
1962 UJA Overseas Study Mission
Detroit's United Foundation President
Elected General Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal
1966
1967
1968
1969
Detroit Magazine profile
Elected President of the United Jewish Appeal
Detroit News Magazine profile
Chosen President of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
Jewish Leaders meet with Nixon on Soviet Jewry
Yom Kippur War begins
Irvine Ranch Purchase
Finance Chairman for President Ford's Re-election Committee
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
Detroit Free Press Interview
Jimmy Carter wins the 1976 Presidential election.
Wall Street Journal Profile
Monthly Detroit Cover Story
9th Annual Assembly of the Jewish Agency
1981
1982
Dropsie University Award
New York Times Op-Ed Article
U.S. Steel Purchases Marathon Oil
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
Detroit Jewish News Interview
JAA Retirement
Operation Independence
1986 "Fisher Meeting"
1988
1989
1990
1988 GOP Convention
80th Birthday Dinner
1989 "Fisher Meeting"
1991
1992
1993
1994
Holocaust Museum Pledge
United Way Society Award
JCC Max Fisher Grant
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
American Spirit Award
The Fisher-Bernstein Institute for Leadership Development
2002 Forbes 400
The Amazing Life of Max Fisher DFP Article