Max G. Rieves
Max G. Rieves, 82, of Fort Myers died on Nov. 2, 2011 at Hope Hospice, Fort Myers. He was born on Dec. 25, 1928 in Greensboro, NC, the only child of Max and Pearl (Garland) Rieves.
He graduated from Lees McCrae College and Appalachian State College and did his doctoral studies at Florida State University. He served in the Navy as a medical assistant in the Korean Conflict.
Max was a founding member of the Manatee Junior College in 1958 and in 1962 he joined the team of administrators in starting Edison Community College where he served as Vice President of Student Affairs for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1991.
A driving force in mental health issues, he was considered by many as the godfather of mental health treatment in Lee County, it was under his leadership that the Ruth Cooper Center was created. There is a building and a program named after Rieves at the Ruth Cooper Center of Fort Myers.
He was largely responsible for helping to start Lee Mental Health in 1969; this organization offers mental health, substance abuse and emergency services. He also had a hand in developing the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971, known as the Baker Act. The act allows for the involuntary examination of a person for mental health reasons.
His daughter, Laura Petel, said the college and mental health care were driving forces in his life. As a student personnel person, he had kids coming into his office all day long, and they had issues outside of the classroom, she said. There was no place for them to go in Lee County.
He was the president of the Mental Health Association of Florida and Lee Mental Health and served with several boards and associations dedicated to mental health. He did volunteer work for at LMHS for16 years and enjoyed summers in North Carolina.
He was a member of the Beach United Methodist Church, Fort Myers Beach serving in various positions of leadership.
Husband of the late Phyllis (VanVolkom) Rieves who died in December 2008 after 54 years of marriage, he is survived by his children, J.T. (Lisa) Rieves of Mableton, GA and Laura B. (Nate) Petel of Fort Myers, Fl and his grandchildren, Max, Elizabeth and Cooper.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. in the Beach United Methodist Church, 155 Bay Road, Fort Myers Beach, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Ruth Cooper Center, 2789 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33905-7806 or the above named church. Friends may sign the guest book at www.horizonfunerals.com.