Max Deutscher 1916-1979

MAX DEUTSCHER EXEMPLIFIED THE spirit of the William Alanson White Psychoanalytic Institute for more than 30 years, from the time he first became a candidate. It now seems natural that he would matriculate at an institute known for its interpersonal view of psychoanalysis and of life and living generally. I believe that Max was born with a special talent for the interpersonal in living among his fellows. Naturally outgoing, with an unusual capacity for warmth and spontaneity, Max was a lively and gifted participant in the classes he attended as a candidate. Seminars taken with Max were never dull. His willingness to speak up, take a chance, and his lively and probing intelligence invariably stimulated exhilarating discussions into which shyer peers were regularly drawn. Even then, Max's sensitive understanding of patients and his delicacy in his dealings with them were admired and envied by fellow candidates. He learned quickly and perceptively, showing a keen sense of discrimination in being able to sort out the wheat from the chaff in the immense amount of information offered in the Institute's curriculum. He was an omnivorous reader with an excellent memory and the ability to synthesize rapidly, fluently and persuasively, bits and pieces from his reading, clinical and other living experiences.

Max had distinguished himself before enrolling at the Institute. He had rendered meritorious service to the Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He had participated in the research upon which the Supreme Court of the United States based its verdict in Brown vs. Brown, which struck down the discriminatory separate-but-equal education doctrine. Max had been pleased to have been part of this important work. He came to the Institute to share in the new, exciting and humanistic understanding of people that was being developed by Erich Fromm, Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, Harry Stack Sullivan, Clara Thompson, Janet and David Rioch, and others.

After his graduation,