Max Weldon Durgin, 84, passed away June 17, 2025 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT.

Max was born on June 22, 1940, in Beaver Creek, MN, to Max (Sr.) and Elizabeth (Geardink) Durgin. Max was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle, Anna and Adelbert Parks, in Murdo, SD. He attended school in Murdo, where he was involved in athletics and activities, and graduated from Murdo High School in 1958.

Max went on to attend Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD, where he played football and studied until graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physical Science.

During his time as a student at BH, Max met the love of his life, JoAnn, and the two were married on June 3, 1962. In 1963, they welcomed their son, Shane. Max earned his master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado in the spring of 1965. That fall, he began his long and dedicated career as a Mathematics professor at Black Hills State College. In 1967, Max and JoAnn welcomed their son, Scott.

In 1975, Max took the family on a new adventure when he began a two-year sabbatical from teaching to pursue a doctoral degree. The journey began at the University of Illinois, but after a year, he transferred to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics in the spring of 1977. His dissertation, titled "The Effects of Teaching Beginning College Mathematics with a Business Emphasis by Computer-Aided Instruction," was notably the first thesis at USD to be typed and printed using a computer.

Max's interest in computers and programming continued to grow. In 1983, he and his identical twin brother, Jerry, founded D-Ware, a software company that developed a production management and job cost accounting system for county highway departments. Always a teacher at heart, Max also authored and published A Guide to Fortran 77 later that same year.

In 2002, Max retired from Black Hills State University after 37 years of teaching, including a year of coaching football in 1967. Always thinking ahead, he began woodworking even before retirement to keep his hands and mind busy. He later joined the Northern Hills Woodworking Club, where he enjoyed hosting meetings and sharing his skills through presentations and demonstrations. His projects beautifully blended his sharp mind for math with an artistic eye.

Max took great pride in watching his sons play sports and later became a devoted supporter of his grandchildren's athletic pursuits, often traveling to cheer them on at games and events.

His love of camping, hunting, and fishing became a legacy he passed on—especially to his family. The memories made on countless outdoor adventures with Max will be cherished by many loved ones and special friends.  Of all his outdoor pursuits, Max's greatest passion was fishing for walleye on the Missouri River in both North and South Dakota. Over the years, many family and friends joined Max and JoAnn on these trips—often ending the day with a walleye feed.

Max always appreciated time with family and friends. Throughout their 50 years together, he and JoAnn often hosted large gatherings for extended family holidays and get togethers, as well as groups of their son's friends just passing through. Whether for a special occasion or just to gather for fun, Max was frequently at the stove, grill or smoker, preparing something delicious to share.

Even though we miss him dearly, Max is now reunited with his beloved JoAnn and many dear friends and fishing buddies—where nothing needs fixing, the fish are always biting, and the meat never gets cold. And if you're lucky, he just might be the one sending a fish your way, still watching over us with love and quiet pride.

Max is survived by his sons, Shane (Carolyn Jo) Durgin of Philipsburg, MT and Scott (Lisa) Durgin of Gillette, WY; five grandchildren, Brady Durgin of Philipsburg, MT, Ian (Molly) Durgin of Salt Lake City, UT, Caleb Durgin of Gillette, WY, Cameron Durgin of Gillette, WY and Hannah Durgin of Gillette, WY; brother, Jerry Durgin of Rapid City, SD; sister-in-law, Mary Kay Bitz of Rapid City, SD, brother-in-law Clifford-Butch (Sandy) Hanson of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law, Cherie (Ray) Cardaronella of Omaha, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Durgin; brother, John Durgin; sister-in-law, Gayle Durgin and brother-in-law, Bruce Bitz.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish, SD. A memorial service will be held at the church at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025, with Pastor Paul Lint officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the burial. An informal gathering of family and friends will be held at the Joy Center in Spearfish, SD, from 4-6PM on Friday, July 11, 2025.

In lieu of flowers and honoring Max's lifelong commitment to the importance of education, donations to the Dr. Max Durgin Mathematics Scholarship would be appreciated. Memorials can be made to the Black Hills State University Foundation with a note to dedicate it to Max's scholarship.

The Durgin family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all their family and friends for extending their love and support.