Max Thurn, R I P.

Max Thurn, RIP

DR. MAXIMILIAN Graf von Thurn-Valsassina of Vienna is dead at 81 years. Max served as Secretary of the Mont Pelerin Society for many years before being elected its Honorary Vice President. A true cosmopolitan, he studied in Vienna and at Oxford, lived in Argentina and in Washington. His commitment to the market system was the paramount concern of his public life, and he gave unstinting help to Heritage, Cato, and many other free-market institutes around the world.

Whether at Mont Pelerin meetings or in private conversation, Max was a good listener, always willing to offer a sage comment and to share his experiences. He seemed quietly amused by the often passionate debates that raged around him. And some of us knew we would never see as far as Max. It wasn't just because his imposing 6-foot-5-inch frame towered over the rest of us, but because his cosmopolitan outlook and his long view of history made him a wise counselor, a good friend, and a steadfast ally.

Before I flew to Vienna last week, I instinctively pulled together the last four issues of NATIONAL REVIEW to reread on the way over, almost forgetting that the purpose of my trip was to attend his memorial service. For to meet with Max, whether in Taipei or in Prague, was to take a quiz on the latest NR: "What did you think of Buckley's article on Quayle?" Or, "Is Sobran really reflecting the views of American conservatism?" He once told me that NR was his "lifeline to the American conservative movement." Max was in turn our lifeline to a civilized European mentality that, however detached or ironic, was nonetheless firmly committed to the cause of liberty. None of us who knew and worked with Max Thurn will ever forget him, and we extend our condolences to his widow.