Max Foster Ruffcorn Sr.
1952-2025

Max Foster Ruffcorn Sr passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2025 at his residence in San Marcos, California, at 73 years old.

The family is deeply heartbroken by his sudden death. 

Max is survived by his former spouse, Suzanne, and his children, Max Jr. (Megan), Mary (Eddie) and Oren (Joanna), and also by his grandchildren. Liam, Ezra, Niall and Yiannis.

Max was born in La Jolla on July 6, 1952. He grew up playing baseball and even captained his football team at La Jolla High school.

He attended UC Santa Barbara for his undergraduate years and returned to San Diego County to earn his law degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, formerly known as Western State University. He was admitted to the state bar in April of 1980 and practiced law for the next 34 years.

In late 1988, Max moved to Lakeport, California, and began taking root with his former spouse and first-born son.

Though he was incredibly hard-working, he somehow always found time to do more. He taught law classes part-time at the Yuba College Campus in Clearlake, he was mayor of Lakeport twice, City Council member, often a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, and coached his children's soccer and little-league baseball teams.

As his children grew and began to leave Lakeport, he took his career to Redding where he retired as the Shasta County senior public defender. 

Once retired he moved to Paradise, California, until his home was lost to the Camp Fire of 2018. 

Max then returned to Southern California to spend his remaining years.

Max was known for being deliberate with his words and for being a free spirited man. He leaves a legacy of passion for community involvement, wanderlust and a love for spending time in the great outdoors. He instilled these tenets in each of his children.

Max will be remembered and missed at every camping trip, every hike in the redwoods and every beach in California.