Maxwell Stepanuk, Jr.

Dr. Maxwell Stepanuk Jr, 78, of Wyndmoor, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2023, with loving family by his side. He was born on January 5, 1945, in Philadelphia, to the late Maxwell and Julia (nee Supp) Stepanuk. He graduated from Central High School 218, Temple University class of 1966, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1971. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery in 1976 at Martin Place Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He returned to Philadelphia as an Orthopedic Surgeon at Parkview Hospital, and later practiced office orthopedics in Elkins Park and Wyndmoor. Max was an Associate Professor and the Director of Residency of the Orthopedic Surgery Division from 1990 - 2015 at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was an accomplished track athlete who ran at Central and Temple. At Temple, he was the 1965 Champion in the 120-yd high hurdles at the Mid Atlantic Conference. He captained the 1966 team when they won the Mid Atlantic Conference for the first time. Max loved cooking, painting, fishing, reading, and gardening. His skills as a surgeon, gardener, and artist converged into the perfect passion, Bonsai. He studied with Chase Rosade in New Hope, PA, and curated a collection of trees that he diligently cared for. The family belongs to Upper Dublin Lutheran Church where Max served as Council President. He was the founder and leader of the Fishing Ministry for 20 years and shared many great times on the ocean on Capt Eddie’s vessel in Barnegat Light, NJ. Max and his loving wife Sandy enjoyed creating gardens, entertaining, movies, theater, and travels. Some of their greatest adventures centered around combinations of art and nature. They also enjoyed hiking the trails of Acadia National Park and cherish their many summers spent on Mount Desert Island. Max is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sandra (nee Waller), their daughter Julia, and daughter Natalie Tynan (Brian) and son Max. He is also survived by siblings Karen Koran (Joe), Ken (Wendy), Kevin (Kathe) as well as wonderful grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to the Memorial Service at 11AM on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Rd, Ambler, following a call to gather after 9:30AM. Pastor Keith Anderson will officiate. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made in Max’s memory to the following organizations. In the memo line of the check or in online donations, please write “in memory of Max Stepanuk”: The Advanced Heart Failure Program at Jefferson: Online at www.jefferson.edu/giveheart or make checks payable to “Jefferson” and mail to: Jefferson, Office of Institutional Advancement, 125 S. 9th Street Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Upper Dublin Lutheran Church: Online at www.udlc.org/give. The University of Pennsylvania Amyloidosis Program: Make checks payable to: “University of Pennsylvania Amyloidosis Program” and mail to: Penn Cardiology – Attn. Vanessa Plummer, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, 51 N. 39th St, 4th Floor Heart and Vascular Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104.