Max Heller

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Max Heller
29th Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina
In office
1971–1979
Preceded byR. Cooper White Jr.
Succeeded byJames H. Simkins
Member of the Greenville City Council
In office
1968–1971
Personal details
Born
Max Moses Heller

(1919-05-28)May 28, 1919
Vienna, Austria
DiedJune 13, 2011(2011-06-13) (aged 92)
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTrude Heller
Parent(s)Israel and Leah Heller
Residence(s)Greenville, South Carolina

Max Moses Heller (May 28, 1919 – June 13, 2011) was an American civic leader who served as the 29th mayor of Greenville, South Carolina from 1971 to 1979. Before his time as mayor, Heller lived in Austria and escaped during World War Two.[1]

Early life[edit]

Heller was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1919 to Israel and Leah Heller, he escaped Austria during its invasion by the Nazis in 1938.[2]

Public career[edit]

Through a foreign friend, Heller was able to secure a job in Greenville, South Carolina. After his wife came from Austria later, he decided to live there. He worked at a shirt-making company for twenty years. He joined the Greenville City Council in 1968 and became mayor from 1971 to 1979. During his time as mayor he revitalized downtown Greenville and oversaw multiple construction projects. He was the first mayor to have 4 year terms. After his time as mayor he was appointed to the State Development Board. Heller has a plaza named after him and a statue across from the Hyatt Hotel, a building proposed by him. He died on June 13, 2011, at the age of 92 in Greenville.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Staff (2011-06-16). "Max Heller: 1919-2011". GREENVILLE JOURNAL. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  2. ^ "Max Heller Biography". 2015-11-21. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  3. ^ "Heller, Max". South Carolina Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
Political offices
Preceded by
R. Cooper White Jr.
29th Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina
1971–1979
Succeeded by
James H. Simkins