ASI is sad to announce the passing of Max Pearson, a highly regarded former ASI board member and mentor to students contemplating steel careers.
Together with Vince Rehbein, Max instigated the Australian Institute of Steel Construction (now the ASI) student awards which are still part of ASI’s education support package.
His very long and strong commitment to the steel industry included AISC councillor and ASI Queensland Construction/Technical Committee member.
Max’s peers and good mates included Kokoda Trail trek partner Mark Vassella, Stef Ahrens, Vince Rehbein, NZ fabricator Mike Sullivan, Noel Carr, Arun Syam, and Gino Trigatti.
His regular industry dinners for steel fabricators to network, discuss key topics and assist the steel fabrication sector were appreciated by all in the industry.
Managing director of DA Manufacturing, Max joined other Queensland steel fabricators to provide locally fabricated structural steelwork for construction of the Comalco Alumina Refinery in Gladstone. Providing steel fabrication for the Gold Coast Convention Centre was a highlight of his career.
An intrepid adventurer, Max was lost for seven days without food at 10,000 feet on Mount lpsie in Canada in a blizzard.
Asked back in 2006 what was the one thing he would change about the steel industry, he said: "I'd like to think educating and encouraging more fabricators is important."
Max is survived by wife Judy and children Nonie, Beckie and Cy. A family service was held on July 11, with a memorial gathering planned for next month.
