(Updated on June 18, 2024 to include precise date and cause of death, and to add a copy of his draft registration card.)
Maxime "Max" Louis DuCharme, Jr. who was Linton Hall Military School's fourth and last Commandant, passed away on June 8, 2018 at “22:23 Military” time (according to the death certificate) at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana due to a complete heart block two days before his death. He was ninety years old. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on June 21 at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, Montana. Mr. DuCharme was cremated. Born on December 17, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he was himself a Linton Hall alumnus, having attended during seventh and eighth grade.
In 1946, he graduated from Belmont Abbey, a high school founded by Benedictine monks (and later a four-year college) in Belmont, N.C.. Belmont Abbey's 1946 yearbook, the Spire, below his name bears the quote "The cynosure of neighboring eyes," a quote from John Milton's 1645 L'Allegro. He is described in the yearbook as "A happy-go-lucky fellow, handsome, plays football, and loves a good bull session. His effervescent friendliness and his gentlemanly manner [have] won many friends for him during his past four years at the Abbey. He is a cadet Lieutenant."
At age 18, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines, and trained at Parris Island, S.C. and Camp LeJeune, N.C.. As a Marine, he was sent to Trinidad, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and various European countries, and later participated in the 1950 landing in Inchon, Korea. He was later Operations Chief of the Engineering section of the Equipment branch, and did a tour of duty on the Japanese island of Okinawa. He married and had a son, then in 1959 became a Marine recruiter in Traverse City, Michigan. He retired from the USMC with the rank of Master Sargeant. A proficient marksman, he was awarded at least two NRA medals.
In 1965 he became Linton Hall's fourth and final Commandant. After the school dropped the military program, he continued at Linton Hall, teaching "Outdoor Education, Conservation and Ecology" (OECW) which apparently is quite similar to the field hikes of LHMS.
His wife, Agnes Louise, passed away in 2011 at age 80.
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Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle and various other sources.
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Wow, he was a lhms alumnus...never knew that til just now. Makes sense...
ReplyDeleteI remember Sister Jo Ann farting the unlucky cadets that cross her way particularity in the mornings
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Mr. DuCharme. I remember you as one of the fairest, most level headed adults at the school, and always quick with a quip. Not many of us (maybe I'm the only one!!) where able to leave the school, make it to town, and then back again without being noticed. But a friend snitched on me, and I got busted for the escapade. They made me tell them how I accomplished it in order to avoid suspension.
ReplyDeleteGood memories, and even though I lost my rifle and related practices when I got busted, Mr. Ducharme still let me compete in Military Day at the end of the year, and I won the rifle competition!! One of the my most proud accomplishments at the school, despite the headwinds I faced. I do remember you Mr. Ducharme, and may you rest in the peace that you solidly deserve.
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ReplyDeleteLet the truth be told..
DeleteI too went to an graduated LHMS, class of 1970. A very significant emotional experience in my life.almost 50 years later I find myself torn between that was the best thing that happened to me or that was some really fucked up shit I went though....
ReplyDeleteI went to LH from 1980-83, 5th-8th grade. I was in B co. all 4 yrs with Mr Laniac then Sis. Mary Patricia as dorm monitors. I of course remember Max and am sad to hear of his passing and finding out he was an Alum of LH explains how he ended up there. I also have mixed memories and feelings of my time there, I do know of the "raz-a-mataz" first hand done by Bill and the nun that taught 5th grade, ouch my scalp hurts and is that my hair in their hands. I don't remember Sis. Maria the nurse as being mean but I do remember the C co. dorm monitor who was a nun (but not her name) who also ran the school store being a fiery Hispanic woman who was always angry. Sis. JoAnn was HQ co. monitor and art teacher, Mother Teresa the principal and a few teachers like Ms Kribe, Ms Forester, and of course Ms Gibadlo who I remember as a very gorgeous woman. Max's wife was the receptionist, I remember for a year or two that there was a young man who watched the playground and drove a Camero who's name I don't remember and then there was "Doc" Ascartez-not sure how to spell his name. He was a psychologist who taught reproductive education. I did have a few good friends while there but didn't keep in contact with them after graduation, I did enjoy the outdoor activities like camping, orienteering runs, and reclamation work with Max. I was B co. guide-on in 6th grade and was on the traveling parade unit. I remember a parade in DC, Cheverly MD, and Quantico USMC base. In 8th grade I was the basketball team manager (cuz I stunk at bball) which got me out of a few classes. And what about all the ghost stories, Col. Lintons ghost, the floating nuns in the chained up chapel over by the swimming pool? But my horror story there was being continuously molested by two older boys who were my cadet co. commander and ex. officer in my first year. The school knew it happened because at the end of the year they demoted them to privates and moved them to C co. without an explanation. And what probably takes the cake an proves this is that on my graduation day "Doc" stopped me when it was just the two of us and tearfully apologized to me for what happened too me and that nothing was done about it, in a panic I played it off like I didn't know what he was talking about. I can't say I was/am not affected by it but this is the first time I have told anyone of this. I am not sure how I found my way to this page but I feel somewhat releaved to get this out even if no one reads this. Thank you all, Ski, that's what Max called me
ReplyDeleteI was there in 1975 and 1976 I remember him. RIP
ReplyDeleteIs sister Mary midget dead yet? I vividly remember that freak wrote me up for like 9 demerits once. I forget much of the details, but I was w the #1 and #2 students, by rank, doing something we were permitted to do, joking and wrestling around. When we saw her, we stopped goofing and never thought more about it until I saw the demerits she wrote on me. She didn’t write any on the #1 and #2 kids, just me. The demerit board was just outside Max’s office and I walked in, naturally upset/pissed. I stepped in the doorway and asked about the demerits. Max made a comment indicating he was aware of them and appeared pissed at me. I was not a kid to challenge teachers, adults etc, but I explained who I was with and that we (and particularly me), didn’t do anything wrong. I then told him I wasn’t walking those demerits off and I didn’t care if they kicked me out of school. I then left his office. I never walked those demerits and never heard another word from max. I thank him for that, because I was fully prepared to take any punishment my father gave me for getting kicked out. I was just sick of the place and that nun. That stinking little bitch had earlier that year, observed me trading a Charm’s Pop at a movie and kicked me out of the movie for talking or some other bullshit and I had to walk the hall and missed the movie. Like in the demerit case, she didn’t kick the other kid out, who was the one who asked me to make the trade ,just me. Man I’d love to have run into that nun (I think her name was Patricia), once I was grown and had a chance to tell her how I felt about her. What a piece of wanna-be Christian shit she was. I doubt she’s still around, the little troll must’ve had health problems, given her freakishly found and tiny size. Thanks though max! I’m sure, given the fact tat even back in the very early 70s, the school’s population was declining and the school needed my Dad’s money. What a place...
ReplyDeleteHey Ski...That fiery Hispanic was Sister Elizabeth in C company. I was there in '80 too. And got a razz-a-mataz from Bill for something someone else did. Still remember that, and still hold it against Bill, even in his grave. Sorry to hear about what happened to you -- and good for you to be able to open up and share. Take care all!
ReplyDeleteI remember him making me hold an M1 rifle with my arms straight out in front of me. When my elbows dropped he hit my ribs with a yard stick. Good times. Lol
ReplyDeleteI was kicked out organising a group of us to run away.
ReplyDeleteNo clue where we'd go.
I remember my dad saying "Well,at least you learned leadership skills."
Lol
I remember some kids getting pattled in front of the cafeteria.
Drop their pants and CRACK*
The paddle had holes in for speed.
I remember him in the shower later his but was all black and blue.
He never made a sound when she hit him about 10 times.
I dont remember her name but never forget the face.
I attended LHMS during 1976, when i was 8 years old, and i remember this man so well that my soul still hurts
ReplyDeleteI attended LHMS the year 1969-70; I remember mr Du Charm fondly; strict but fair. Rest In Peace, commander. Greetings to all former alumnii from Mexico
ReplyDeleteRest In Peace commandant. You taught me well in my formative years about conservation and history and I appreciate this.
ReplyDeleteI’m just learning about his passing. He was definitely o good man and as a young black kid there he was so intimidating but honest and fair. I’m great full for all the strength and guidance he taught me and the high self esteem I hold today. Truly impacted my life, he will never be forgotten 🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace Sir, you were a great man that inspired me throughout my years. Cadet Colonel 1981
ReplyDeleteWoW!!! Well, it seems I endured far better than MOST, OR, you guys were just MUCH weaker. I was sent to LHMS after my dad died, and I became a behavioral problem. I endured the same "traumas" as the rest if you. However, I feel my time at Linton Hall made me a better person, a stronger person, and instilled the leadership skills I use in my adult life. It may also be responsible for my no bullshyte nature and straight forward demeanor.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I feel I am a better person for enduring through.
Du Charm was no angel & not as fair as others state here but he was better then the rest of the sick wacko running that school. ( MD, Bill, many if not all those nuns had various dislikes of the male students ) No love for any of them or for that hell - hold school.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to Sister Justine (1968-1969) ?
ReplyDeleteI don’t understand why so many comments are anonymous; I’m proud to say that Commandant Max DuCharme had a significant influence on me. Yes he was strict, and yes sometimes the punishment was rough, but it wasn’t intended to hurt anyone, it was meant to set you straight. In today’s world, it is prohibited to discipline kids that way. I’m thankful that I grew up in that era. Rest in peace sir, and thank you for your service and concern for the cadets at LHMS. George Pompeo, 66-71 battalion adjutant, major.
ReplyDelete