Maxwell A. Myers

Maxwell A. Myers, 99 years old, a 3rd generation San Franciscan, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Maxwell was born in San Francisco to Jean and Leslie Myers in February 1923. He and his brother, Theodore, attended Lowell High School and then Stanford University. Maxwell was a proud contributor to the Chaparral, the student humor magazine. He left university to serve in the 103rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. As a First Lieutenant, Maxwell was among the liberating soldiers to arrive at Dachau, an experience that remained with him for the rest of his life. He returned to Stanford following the war and graduated as a member of the class of ‘44 with a degree in English literature.

Maxwell married Elaine Beale in 1947—their love for each other overcame their parents’ disapproval of their interfaith union. The two eloped in a romantic tour of the American South before returning to California to start a life together. Their marriage was characterized by enduring fidelity, a shared sense of humor, a pleasure in participating in the world and a love of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They ate dinner together every night for 74 years.

Maxwell’s first job was as a beat reporter for Official Detective magazine in Sacramento. In 1950, with a young family to support, he returned to San Francisco and began working for his father’s business, the L. Myers Company, wholesaling dry goods and creating a portfolio of family real estate. Maxwell took pleasure in keeping up with the momentum of the city, and under his guidance, the L. Myers Company rented to numerous successful tech ventures in their early days, including Yelp, Oculus, Beats, Stitch Fix, GoodRx and many others. He ran the L. Myers Company for the rest of his life, never retiring, working with his three children and repeatedly transforming the business by dint of his keen eye for opportunity and sense of San Francisco’s changing pulse.

In the ‘60s, Maxwell became one of the Bay Area’s earliest anti-war activists. Because of his experience in World War II, he was adamant that the United States should end the war in Vietnam. In addition to taking his children to protest marches, he joined Alan and Jessica (Latifah Taormina) Myerson in founding The Committee, a satirical and improvisational political revue. When they expanded in the late ‘60s, Maxwell orchestrated the building of a new theater for their plays in North Beach. For a decade, The Committee put on shows exploring the injustice of the war and satirizing bourgeois American life.

Throughout his life, Maxwell was both a serial entrepreneur and an engaged volunteer for the causes that mattered to him. In the ‘50s, he and Elaine bought the rights to images of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd to produce one of the first lines of printed bath towels, which they then sold nationally. With his college roommate, Maxwell opened a small chain of boutiques selling nylon stockings and costume jewelry in the Financial District. He served on the board of the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, contributing his financial acumen to the organization. He also planted over 100 purple leaf plum trees on the street where he lived for more than 70 years and helped prolong the San Francisco theater run of the iconic film The Cool World (1963) by having his children stuff promotional flyers onto car windshields. Only last week, he said he wanted to start another new business—just a small one this time!

While he delighted in many pursuits, Maxwell was ultimately dedicated to the love, protection and moral guidance of his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he had a unique relationship with each member of his family. He will be remembered for his generosity and love of telling stories. He is survived by his wife Elaine and his children: Catherine (Edward); David (Linda); Laura (Kenneth). He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: William (Ani), Mira and Abraham; Sonia; Lillian; Elizabeth; Zoe (Ethan), Jack and Josephine; Eric (Lauren) Ava and Brady. Maxwell’s devotion to his family was unmatched.

Maxwell was—and his family continues to be— deeply grateful for the kind, generous and attentive caretaking provided by Romy, Wency, Fernando, Arnel, Olinda, Marta and Carmela. They brought him comfort and good spirit in the late years of his life.

A private family service was held on April 22, 2022 at Temple EmanuEl. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Maxwell’s memory to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or the charity of your choice.