Person:Max Stern (4)

According to Samson Raphael Levy, Max Stern's step-grandson, Max (known to Samson as "Grossvater Stern") was 'a tall, hale and hearty old gentleman'. He had a good education and became a manufacturer of paint and varnish. The factory, founded in 1893, was called the Lack und Farbwerke Stern, A.G., Fulda, but was commonly referred to as the Lackfabrik. It was situated on the Edelzellerweg on the outskirts of Fulda, Germany. According to his son, Emanuel Stern, the Lackfabrik employed 70 men and Max Stern conducted a very successful business. He was a very religious man, did not even smoke. According to Samson Raphael Levy, Max Stern gave him his first Siddur and first Haggada. He had very good health until a rupture developed, for which he underwent an operation. He had been home from the hospital only a few days when one of his friends died. He attended the funeral and, when he returned to his home, complained of feeling very tired. He lay down on his bed and when his family called him, he was dead. He was 72 years old.

The Lackfabrik included the family home and a large garden area and they grew their own vegetables and fruit. When he died, he passed on ownership of the factory in Fulda to his son, Simon Stern. Simon was forced to sell the factory to Rhodius in 1937.

In the Fulda Phonebook, check pg 7 for the paint factory ad.

Max's Hebrew Name was 'Menachem'.

Obituary on pg 7 of Der Israelit: http://edocs.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/volltexte/2008/38052/original/Israelit_1926_05.pdf

Translation on Max's Gravestone: Here lies buried the glory of our family and the glory of our people, Rabbi Menachem Ari (Ya-tzal) Stern An honest man who dedicated himself All his life to go in a straight line He had the honour to work for god He sacrificed his life for his brother As one that robbed our tent, he pushed him away from us Menachem gave his soul back when he was 69 On the 12th Sh’vat; he was buried the 13th of 5686 Let his soul be gathered in the bundle of life.