Max Foorman Gruenberg, Jr. (September 25, 1943 – February 14, 2016) was an American politician, a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 14th District since 2003. He previously served from 1985 through 1993. On October 13, 2009, he became the senior member of the House after the death of Richard Foster of Nome.
Gruenberg served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He died at home on February 14, 2016 in Juneau after an evening with his friends and wife at their residence. He had previously had heart attacks. He was 72 years old.
Life and education Max F. Gruenberg Jr. was born in San Francisco to Dorothy Lilienthal Gruenberg and Max Gruenberg, Sr. in 1943 as their only son. Growing up, Gruenberg participated in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California northeast of Oakland in 1961 and went to Stanford University from 1961-1965, where he earned his B.A. in political science.
After Gruenberg graduated from Stanford University he attended UCLA School of Law from 1967 to 1970. On June 5, 1994, Gruenberg married his third wife, Kayla Epstein. Gruenberg had two sons named Bruce and Daniel. Outside of politics, Gruenberg participated in and was a member of the Fairview Lions Club from 1978 to 2016, Alaska Common Ground from 2001 to 2016, a board member in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers from 1981 to 2016, and in the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1993 to 2016. He was a family lawyer from 1974 to 2005 participating in court cases including Flores v. Flores in 1979 and Hilliker v. Hilliker in 1988, appearing before the Alaska Supreme Court.
Military career Max Gruenberg and his father served in different branches within the United States military. Max served in the Navy during the Vietnam War; his father was in the U.S. Army during World War II. Max's mother later married Jacques Schnier, an artist who also served in World War II. After graduating from Stanford University, Max Gruenberg joined the Navy from 1966-1967 as a lieutenant on a transport ship called the U.S.S. Whitfield, where he was awarded a 3 battle stars Vietnam Service Medal.
Political career In 1970, Max Gruenberg moved to Alaska and began his political life as an Alaskan politician. In 1985, he served in the House of Representative, representing East Anchorage House District 16. He remained in office until 1993, when he took a 10 year break from politics. He returned to politics in 2002 and in 2003, where he served as House of Representative until his death in 2016. During Gruenberg's early years in politics, he helped create the Alaska Law Review and worked alongside Republican Senator Ted Stevens as Steven's top legislative aide in Washington D.C. In 1970-1971, Gruenberg was also a law clerk for Justice Roger Connor in the Alaska Supreme Court.
Elections for Alaska House of Representatives +District 16 election in 2014PartyCandidateVote CountDemocraticMax F. Gruenberg, Jr.3,253RepublicanDon Hadley2,745 +District 14 election in 2012PartyCandidateVote CountDemocraticMax F. Gruenberg, Jr.3,391RepublicanDon Hadley2,883 +District 20 election in 2010PartyCandidateVote CountDemocraticMax F. Gruenberg, Jr.2,065LiberalScott A. Kohlhaas918 +District 20 election in 2008PartyCandidateVote CountDemocraticMax F. Gruenberg, Jr.3,361LiberalScott Kohlhaus812
Alaska committees +Alaska Committees Assignment Rep. Gruenberg Jr. Held20152013-20142011-20122009-2010JudiciaryJudiciaryJudiciaryJudiciaryState AffairsLegislative CouncilState AffairsState AffairsMilitary & Veterans' AffairsMilitary & Veterans' AffairsTransportationTransportationRulesRules
Legislative bills +Bills Sponsored by Rep. Gruenberg Jr.Bill NumberName of BillAK HB6Priv Employer Voluntary Vet PreferenceAK HB8Powers of AttorneyAK HB18Expand Medicaid CoverageAK SB23Opioid Old Drugs: Dispensing; ImmunityAK HB27Dhss Duties; cina; Foster Care; AdoptionAK HB35March 27: Great Alaska Earthquake DayAK HB44Sex Abuse/ assault/ dating Viol Prev. ProgsAK HB60Military: Sexual AssaultAK HB61Military Meritorious Award License PlatesAK HB117Sexual Assault Examination KitsAK HB 130Naming State Library & MuseumAK HB142Establish Elders' DayAK HB147Animals: Protection/release/custodyAK HB154Civil Legal Services FunAK HB175Establish Military Family DayAK HB207Antitrust Actions & PenaltiesAK HB215New Drugs For The Terminally IllAK HB223Session LimitAK HB226Extended Alaska Commission on AgingAK HB 255Reading or Typing Messages While DrivingAk HCR16Ways And Means: Uniform RulesAK HJR6Federal Contamination of Ancsa LandsAK HJR22Stewart-hyder Border Hours
References
External links Alaska State Legislature – Representative Max Gruenberg official government website Project Vote Smart – Representative Max F. Gruenberg Jr. (AK) profile Follow the Money – Max F Gruenberg Jr 2006 2004 2002 1994 1992 1990 campaign contributions Alaska's Democratic Caucus – Max Gruenberg profile Max Gruenberg at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature