Dr. Max E. Gahwyler, or “Dr. Max” as he was affectionately known in the horse world, passed away this past Friday May 13 at his home in Darien. He was 92 years old, and a town resident for over half a century.
Dr. Max E. Gahwyler’s funeral information has not yet been announced.
Max was born in Switzerland on July 22, 1923, and spent his formative years mountain climbing and skiing in the town of Arosa, Switzerland. He studied internal medicine in Lausanne and Geneva, and met the love of his life, Doris Muller, in the early 1940’s.
After the Second World War, the couple moved to the US. Max continued to work as a physician, as well as developing a long-term career at Pfizer and American Home, where he worked in antibiotic research and world-wide marketing.
Dr. Max had a life-long passion for four legged creatures. Beloved by dogs, cats, but most of all horses, he was an early pioneer in the US dressage movement. Many town residents will have seen him on the Ox Ridge Polo Field throughout the years, where he was an active club member and President of the Board of Stewards, played Polo, gave lessons, and trained horses to the higher dressage levels.
He authored a series of three books, collectively known as “The Competitive Edge,” which helped riders understand the fundamentals of equine physics and how to improve horse/rider performance. Dr. Max was a national and internationally recognized Dressage Judge, and spent many years judging at the highest levels in the US and abroad.
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— an obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
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He was one of a small group of visionaries who worked with Margarita Serrell to establish the American Dressage Institute (“ADI”), a forerunner to the United States Dressage Federation. He served as president, and in these formative years at the ADI, was instrumental in bringing the best teaching and judging talent over from Europe, such as Colonel Hans Handler.
His desire to improve the quality of dressage instruction in the US has earned him a place in the US Dressage Federation Hall of Fame. Given his love of the sport late into his golden years, he was awarded one of the first riding centurion prizes (the summation of the rider’s and horse’s ages).
Marrying his passions for dressage and traveling, he has inspired thousands of riders through his writings and hands-on approach to schooling at clinics and competitions.
Dr. Max is survived by his wife Doris Gahwyler, who shared his love of animals. He was a mentor, friend and beloved family member to many people, and his passing will be grieved by many throughout the world.
His Swiss family will miss him tremendously as will his “adopted” family, the Handlers, who were blessed to have him in their lives.
Please check the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home website for details regarding a memorial service which will be held at a later date.
Donations can be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County or H.O.R.S.E of Connecticut.