Cloudy, 36° F
(Nov. 13, 1917 - Feb. 20, 2011)
A.J. “Max” Castagne, 93, of Red Lodge, Mont., died on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Red Lodge.
Max was born on Nov. 13, 1917, in Red Lodge, the fourth son of Joseph and Josephine Castagne. He attended Red Lodge schools, graduating from Carbon County High School in 1937. While growing up, Max worked with his brothers in their local meat business and on ranches owned by the family. Max graduated from the University of Wyoming at Laramie in 1942, earning a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
Max worked for a brief time at Boeing Aircraft Co. in Seattle before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served as an aircraft maintenance officer and was assigned to AT-6 and B-25 squadrons in California. Max also served with the air command in the South Pacific, and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.
Max resumed his career in engineering, working first in plastics manufacturing with Bakelite Corp. He then began his employment with Westinghouse Electric Corp., initially working in the development and design of aircraft engines, and later moving to power plant engineering in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Kennewick, Wash.
He lived in Powell before moving back to Red Lodge. Max was once the oldest student at Northwest College.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ann and Lucy; and by his brothers, James, Victor, Joseph and Frank. Survivors include several nieces and nephews in Montana.
Memorial services will be held this summer at the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel was in charge of cremation arrangements.
