BEND, OR — Robert Maxwell is being remembered in a very public way, near one of his favorite places. The Medal of Honor recipient passed away Saturday in Bend, at the age of 98. A billboard honoring Maxwell and his service is now up near Jake’s Diner, where he often met with the Bend Band of Brothers. It sits along Highway 20, which is designated as Oregon’s Medal of Honor Highway.
A memorial service is planned for May 31 at noon, at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, followed by internment with full military honors at Terrebonne Cemetery. The day before, May 30, a vigil time for viewing and paying respects will be held at the Niswonger-Reynolds Chapel (105 NW Irving Ave., Bend), between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Maxwell was a pillar of the community. Central Oregon Community college Extended Learning Dean Jerry Schulz pursued a “Medal of Honor College” designation for COCC, in Maxwell’s honor, last year (Maxwell pictured right, with a COCC automotive student in 2018). Schulz told KBND News then, “He was instrumental in helping launch the automotive program for Central Oregon Community College, way back in the late 50s or early 60s. And, he taught for our school for many years.”
On Pearl Harbor Day last year, Maxwell told KBND News his story: On September 7, 1944, he was serving as a wireman, maintaining telephone wires near a battle’s front line, when their command post was attacked by Germans. “A grenade came over the wall that we were behind, and fell in
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