Max Solomon Lewis Memorial Fund
In loving memory of Max Solomon Lewis (June 8th, 2001 - July 4th, 2021).
On the evening of July 1st, 2021, Max Lewis, a rising third-year at the University of Chicago, was shot in the back of the neck by a stray bullet. Max was shot while seated on a CTA Green Line train that he was riding on his way home from his summer internship in downtown Chicago. The tragedy occurred while the train was stopped at the 51st Street/Washington Park Station along the Green Line.
Max was immediately rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center. On the morning of July 4th, Max Lewis went off life support and entered the kingdom of Abraham, Moses, and King Solomon.
Max was an intelligent, caring, compassionate member of the UChicago community and a dear friend to many. He is known amongst friends, peers, and classmates for his kindness, goofiness, grit, impeccable work ethic, and most importantly, his unfailingly genuine soul. He will be sorely missed.
At UChicago, Max was double-majoring in Computer Science and Economics. He was the former president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, and his brothers here are deeply mourning his loss. When not supporting his friends in their own endeavors, Max devoted an incredible amount of time to Promontory Investment Research, a registered student organization at UChicago for which he was Head of Operations. Max loved to be outside as well, be it going for runs, walks with friends, or hanging out at the Point.
Before his time at UChicago, Max grew up in Denver, Colorado, graduating with honors in Computer Science from the well-renowned Kent Denver School. Max is survived by his mother, father, younger brother, and many friends and relatives who love him dearly.
There are no words to adequately characterize how devastating this loss is. Of all people in this world, Max was the last to deserve something like this.
This memorial fund will serve two purposes. First, Max's family has asked that these funds be put first and foremost towards ensuring that all people who love him can attend his funeral in Denver and join his family during this difficult time. Second, all funds not directed towards covering those costs will be donated to a charitable organization to be decided on by Max's family and close friends. Given how raw and early on this, we have not had the time or mental energy to make a final decision and appropriations plan as to the destination of each dollar donated. In discussions, the following causes were mentioned: Hillel, Chabad, the Rivkin Center (a cause long supported by Max's family), gun violence prevention and assistance organizations, as well as direct monetary assistance to other victims of Chicago gun violence this summer. Max's family has asked that we (Max's close friends in AEPi) deal with these funds, in terms of distributing them to friends for plane tickets, accommodations, and later, charitable organizations. Please bear with us while we work through the immediate aftermath of this tragedy.
Please consider making a donation to this fund. Any donation, no matter how large or small, is greatly appreciated. Please keep this beloved member of our community in your prayers.
May Max's memory be a blessing and a revolution.
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For any questions regarding the destination of these funds, please contact Zach Cogan at 9145885144 or Max Rosenblum at 9143198747.
