|
|
|
Members of Saline Girl Scout Troop 1131 are pictured in this dated photograph with the late Max Adler in front of the trail they finished together in 2005.
Purchase a copy of this photo
|
|
Some call Max Adler the "Father of Saline's trail system." He worked quietly to survey, lay and maintain the wooded trail through Curtiss Park and planted the evergreen trees that now tower over the entrance of Wilderness Park. Adler could identify the plants, birds and wildlife that lived in the parks and was always willing to share his knowledge.
He nurtured local Girl Scouts in their project to refurbish park trails and helped keep Saline's Audubon Society chapter active through the years.
Adler died peacefully Feb. 27 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of wilderness appreciation, conservancy and activism in the Saline community and beyond.
"He was one of my heroes," said longtime friend and fellow naturalist Mary Lirones of Saline. "He was always quietly keeping track of our parks and trails. It was truly a privilege to know him."
Two years ago, the city of Saline officially recognized Adler's contributions to the park system by naming the Curtiss Park path he helped cut "The Max Adler Trail." He was honored for devoting his life to botany, nature interpretation and biology on behalf of the community.
Adler also shared his love of wilderness with his family, venturing off the beaten path into fields on family trips, trimming trails for his grandsons who ran cross country and teaching his grandchildren to hunt for frogs and butterflies.
"He was such a wonderful father and grandfather," said his daughter, Amanda Hart, whose children, Jimmy, Joe and Alyssa were the "apple of his eye." Adler attended nearly every school concert, Grandparents' Day and sporting event for the kids and also adored his nephew, Mark Adler, said Hart. "He always had a butterfly net in his car and would bring his telescope over during every eclipse," she said.
Adler also was a teacher –– in and out of the classroom. He taught in the biology department at Eastern Michigan University and was the curator of the school's greenhouse for more than 32 years. He also was an instructor of adult education for three decades at Hidden Lake Gardens, where he led bird walks, terrarium workshops and classes on edible plants.
"Friday nights at the kitchen in our house were always interesting," Hart said. "Mom and Dad would cook up something green from the woods for the next day's class. I would make it a point to try to eat at a friend's house."
Lirones said Adler was a great teacher.
"You could ask him anything about nature and he would take your question seriously."
Adler believed in serving his community, volunteering as a member of Saline's Beautification Commission in the 1970s and teaching Sunday school at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bridgewater Township, where he also served on the church council.
He loved classic country music and Western movies, and regularly visited with old friends over coffee and a doughnut at Benny's Bakery.
"This month, he was scheduled to give his annual talk about spring birds at the Audubon meeting," Lirones said. "He will truly be missed, but we'll keep it going in his memory."
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
Staff Blog, "Inside The Newsroom"
TOP JOBS
