Maxwell J. Rosenbaum

Maxwell Judah Rosenbaum, 99, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at his home. He was born February 12, 1925 to Louis and Clara Rosenbaum in Brooklyn, NY. They later moving to Fitchburg, MA where Max graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1943, and was drafted in the U.S. Army in September of that year. 

Max served for the 106st Cavalry Group, 121st Squadron, Troop A as a radio operator and assistant driver of an armored reconnaissance vehicle in General Patton’s Third Army and was seriously wounded fighting in France. After convalescing, Max enrolled at UW Madison in the Fall of 1945. Graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag-Bacteriology, Max went on to earn a Masters of Science degree in Public Health and Microbiology at the UMass - Amherst and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Max completed his Post Doctoral work at Yale.

One of the first people Max met in Madison was Betty Underwood, who worked in the VA office on campus. They were married in Dec 26, 1951 in Madison and later remarried in the traditional Hebrew tradition in Fitchburg, MA. They moved to Waukegan, IL for Max's job as an Assistant Immunologist and later Virology Chief with Naval Medical Research at Great Lakes Naval Station, and in the 1970s moved to Vermont Township in western Dane County when Max took a job as the Biological Safety Officer for UW-Madison. They lived in their beloved country home until 2007, when they decided they wanted to be closer to Madison. In 2021, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.

Max was a very learned man, but also had a childlike wonder at the world and a twinkle in his eye. He and Betty didn't have children, so they adopted all of the nieces and nephews as their own, and he was a beloved uncle to all of us. He and Betty loved animals and had many dogs and cats, and they spoiled everyone. They were both vibrant and active well into their 90s.

Max was a member and cantor at Beth Israel in Madison, and his faith was very important to him. He was also a proud member of VFW and American Legion of Mt Horeb. He was able to go on a 2014 Badger Honor Flight, which was a great joy for him.

Max is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty, his brother, Morris, his sister Renee (Harry) Berry, in laws Sarah Rosenbaum, Lyle (Dorothy Mae) Underwood, LeRoy (Lou) Underwood, Don (June) Underwood, Chet (Lee) Underwood, George (Belle) Underwood, Ruth (Fitch) Taylor and nieces Miriam Benard and Sarah Hirsch. He is survived by a brother Marvin, brother-in-law, Paul (Sara) Underwood, and a large family of nieces and nephews and their families.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of the caregivers who helped Max and Betty live dignified lives on their own terms, especially Betty, Natalie, Cindy, Kristen, Anya and Danny. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on October 1, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road Madison, WI 53705. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of service. 

We welcome you to share your thoughts and memories on Maxwell's Tribute Wall.