Maxwell McCormack

Maxwell Leland McCormack Jr., loving husband of Lynne Marie Lavoie for 36 years, died in Orono, ME, on March 11, 2025. Maxwell was born July 18, 1934, in Emory University, GA, the only child of Maxwell and Bonnie (Batson) McCormack of Carbondale, IL.

He is survived by Lynne and three children from an earlier marriage and their families, Patricia Elwell and Brian of OH, Patrick McCormack and Jackie of VA, and Kelly Houseman and David of NY; and four grandchildren and five stepgrandchildren.

McCormack's first visit to Maine was by train in 1948. That summer at Buckskin Camp on Donnell's Pond, he decided to pursue a career that would contribute to maintaining the forest resources of Maine. In 1997 he retired from the University of Maine as research professor emeritus of forest resources. Throughout his life he was grateful for his many inspiring teachers, mentors, and friends from kindergarten through graduate studies, and beyond.

Dr. McCormack graduated from Cranford (NJ) High School in 1952; earned forestry degrees from The University of Maine, 1956 (undergrad Xi Sigma Pi, Forestry Honors Society); and Duke University (NC), 1959, 1963. Maxwell was a dedicated brother in Sigma Nu Fraternity. During 8 years in the U.S. Army Active Reserve he completed two advanced cycles of training at the Provost Marshall General's School, Ft. Gordon, GA, and was honorably discharged in April 1963. He was an accomplished graphic artist and a scholar of World War II. Throughout his life's travels he was always "thrilled to see Old Glory paint the breeze." While in VT he was employed at the Shelburne Museum as a part-time barge driver and substitute guide. In Orono he coached youth ice hockey, including the Orono Bantams in the first game on the new Alfond Arena ice sheet in 1977. He contributed to a variety of community efforts and responsibilities in the towns where he resided.

During his forestry career he carried out consultations, workshops, and invited lectures in 28 U.S. States, 7 Canadian Provinces, 7 European nations, New Zealand, and Australia. Dr. McCormack taught at Southern Illinois University, the University of Maine, the former Maritime Forest Ranger School in Fredericton, NB; and the University of Vermont, where he offered a forestry survey course for non-forestry majors that was elected by thousands, including 778 students during the 1972 spring semester. He was a guest professor in German universities in Göttingen (1972-1973) and in Freiburg i. Br. (1991). McCormack was a fellow in the Society of American Foresters (SAF), a distinguished member of the Northeastern Weed Science Society, and an honorary lifetime member of the University of Maine Cooperative Forestry Research Unit, the Maine Hardwood Association, the NH-VT and the ME Christmas Tree Associations. During his career he received many recognitions and awards including the Humboldt Prize from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany; the Integrity in Conservation Award from NE SAF; the Albert D. Nutting Award from the Maine Forest Products Council; the Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award; and, in 2023, the Peter Lawrence Award for Outstanding Service to Maine Woodland Owners. The Wilkins Award citation credited McCormack, " ...for leading the vibrant recovery of over 1 million acres of Maine spruce-fir forests after the cataclysmic 1975-1985 spruce budworm epidemic."

He was extraordinarily thankful for his long life during the best of times. A modest marker will be placed in the family cemetery lot in Cobden, IL, down the road from the site of his great-grandfather's farm. His cremains will remain in the forests of Maine. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Clifford McIntire Room at the Buchanan Alumni House, 160 College Ave, Orono, ME 04473. Those who wish to remember Maxwell in a special way may make donations to The Clifford McIntire Room Fund, by online at our.umaine.edu/mcintire or by mail, University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

MY LEGACY

by Ethelwyn Wetherald

The little tree I planted out

And often muse upon,

May be alive to grow and thrive

And out into the sunlight strive,

When I am dead and gone.

So it shall be my legacy

To toilers in the sun,

So sweet its shade, each man and maid

May be induced to take a spade

And plant another one.