Max Aud

Max Aud left his earthly body on the morning of January 13, 2017, enveloped in the love of his family.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara Brundage; his children, Heather Bollmeier Cutrell, Shane Bollmeier, Jacob Aud, Evan Aud, and Lauren Aud; his mother, Wanda Aud (nee McCray); his siblings, Kenneth Aud, Becky Aud-Jennison, and Randol Aud; as well as grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, outlaws, and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Robert Aud.
Max was born in Randolph County, Illinois in 1954.  He lived most of his life in Southern Illinois, and spent several years of his childhood in Oklahoma, where his mother was born and raised.  He moved to Michigan in September 2015 to take over as the federal mediator for the Grand Rapids region.  After only 4 months in that position, he became ill and was eventually diagnosed with brain cancer (primary CNS lymphoma), which he battled for the past year. 
Before coming to Michigan, Max was a federal mediator for the St. Louis, Missouri region for 16 years.  He was the President and business agent for Teamsters Local 347 in West Frankfort, Illinois, for 14 years before joining the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in St. Louis.
His working life began at age 14 selling eggs door-to-door in East St. Louis, Illinois.  He stood up for what was right, which got him suspended from high school in the 70s for challenging the suspension of another student who wore his hair “too long” (meaning touching the shirt collar - Max took the school to court and won).  He was a community and labor organizer, rabble-rouser, seeker of justice, teacher, writer, mentor, and loving friend.  His journeys through this work included sharing a podium with Buckminster Fuller, visiting with Rosa Parks at the Highlander Center in Tennessee, running a state senate campaign for a populist Southern Illinois farmer, and helping organize a penny auction during the farm crisis in the 1980s.
Max brought out the best in those whose lives he touched.  He was a friend to all who knew him.  He was the loving heart of his family, and being a father to his children was the joy of his life.  He will be sadly missed, but lovingly remembered, by his family and friends.  The world, and we, are so much richer for having him in our lives.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, January 16, 2017, at the Vergennes United Methodist Church, 10411 Bailey Dr. NE, Lowell, Michigan.  The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church from 10 to 11am.  A celebration of Max’s life will be held in Marissa, Illinois, in March, with details to be arranged.

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