Maxim Joseph Kalkstein
April 7, 1987 ~ December 22, 2018
Born in:
Boulder, Colorado
Resided in:
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Maxim Joseph Kalkstein
Maxim Joseph Kalkstein of Stone Mountain, Georgia, died unexpectedly on December 22 in Cummings, Georgia. A decorated officer in the US Army and a sergeant with the Riverdale, Georgia police, he was 31.
Max was born April 7, 1987 in Boulder, Colorado. He spent most of his childhood in Mystic, Connecticut, graduating with honors from Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke, in 2010.
He was an outstanding student athlete who excelled at several sports, foremost among them lacrosse. A four-year varsity letter winner in that sport, he was nominated to Connecticut Super Juniors, a juried selection of the state’s top lacrosse players; and served as Fitch High School lacrosse team captain in his senior year, among many other honors. St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina recruited him as a player. He started on the Division II team for two years and was named a Top 10 X-factor player nationally by U.S. Lacrosse magazine.
Max was a natural leader who inspired others through an exceptional combination of humor, charm, bravery and compassion. Committed to a career in public service, he transferred to the University of North Carolina, Pembroke, to enroll in its U.S. Army R.O.T.C. program. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2010 and rose to Captain. Deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he was a company commander at the time of his death. He was awarded the Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Reserve Mobilization Medal, NATO Medal and Royal Kingdom of Belgium Remembrance Medal (Foreign Award).
Max joined the City of Riverdale Police Department in 2014. As a sergeant, he remained dedicated to the cause of public safety despite working long hours under difficult and dangerous circumstances. He pledged his life to others in ways large and small, whether it was working with troubled teens in Connecticut and North Carolina, or spending time with a friend disabled in the line of duty. His love of animals led him to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a K-9 handler.
In addition to his father Joshua Kalkstein and stepmother Laura Beach, he is survived by his twin brother, Air Force Staff Sargent Trevor W. Kalkstein and his wife, Elyssa; his sister, Aleta Kalkstein; his uncles and aunts Julian Kalkstein and his wife, Helene Fromm; Bridget Minor and her husband, Robert; and Mike McCabe and his wife, Erica; his cousins, nephews and niece. He was predeceased by his mother, Maureen McCabe; his uncle Patrick McCabe, and his grandparents.
Services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018, 12:00 p.m. at Wages & Sons Funeral Home Stone Mountain Chapel. The family will accept friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Max's honor may be made to WWW.Healing4Heroes.org.
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I am heartbroken at your loss. Thank you for your committment and service to the security of all of us both domestically and abroad. I will miss you.
Not only were you a great leader, but most of all a great friend. I will miss you more than anyone could ever know. I love ya Sir.
You’ll be in my heart forever, brother. I’ll never forget our time in the academy, our “movie worthy” pursuit in villages on the river, or the crude jokes we died laughing about. It was an honor being your friend and partner. You haven’t left my mind since the news nor will you for an unforeseeable amount of time. Rest in peace and know that you will forever be loved.
Max you have always been a great friend, soldier and police officer. You always had a smile on your face and lit up the room. You made people laugh and were a great leader. You are going to be sincerely missed, rest Easy brother. Love ya bro!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. In Mandate Brother yours was impeccable.. Must have been the twin connection:)…:)…RIH Brother!! The times we use to run into each other while on duty. Priceless…We will never forget you… I cherished everyday for 12 weeks.. #WorkHardNeverStopAlwaysonTop
Man I still can not bieve this…I just saw you at court couples week ago and we talk abut how “ last night call was”… man I’m missing the guy that I do intox for when he got into an accident…rest in peace brother we got it from here!
Max, words can’t express how much I miss you. You were an incredible cop and amazing friend. The world is a darker place without you, I’ll see you in Valhalla brother.
Max. You will be forever loved and forever missed. Rest in love my brother ????
Praying for you and your family
I’m so sorry for the loss of a great man, my thoughts and prayers to the family.
Words can not express how I feel right now. My heart is extremely heavy. Your sense of humor and infectious smile will last in our hearts forever. You will be missed. Rest easy SGT Maxim Kalkstein.
You will be missed brother
We got each other through K-9 school
CPT K, (Max) you will be forever missed by the Soldiers that you commanded and by the ones you served with.
To your family we are thinking of you, wishing you hope in the mist of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain.
My condolences and prayers.
RIH brother. You will be missed by many. My deepest sympathies and prayers for the Kalkstein family and friends.
Max you will be forever missed. The 12 weeks in mandate was a time I’ll never forget. You and daniel making jokes the entire time. You were a natural leader and always had the sweetest heart. You’re at peace now. Rest easy my friend.
Going to miss you brother. You are the light of every situation. Wonderful soul and friend. Rest easy brother!
CPT K if you only knew the impact you have made on me and my life. I wish I would have told you how much you meant to me. You will be missed more than you know. Thank you for everything my Friend and Leader!!!!
Trev, my deepest condolences to you and your family and to the military members that have been impacted by Max’s leadership, friendship, and love.
I always enjoyed working with you. There was never a dull shift when you were on duty. I was surprised and honored when you asked me for advice a couple of times.
A wonderful officer and an even better person!
I pray that this day you walk on streets paved in gold. May God bring comfort some how to the family. Rest In Peace and thank you for your service.
Thank you Sergeant Kalkstein for serving the Riverdale Community with an open heart. Thank you for being a dedicated member of our Team. I am grateful to have your spirit near and watching over us. Peace***
CPT K. I will miss you dearly and the smile and joy you brought with your humor. Your leadership and friendship will not be forgotten. Your contributions as Soldier and defender will long impact and provide a light of blessings to us! Rest my comrade and let your smile continue to light up the heavens.
I’m going to miss you Max-A-Million, only time will heal… Rest Well Brother
Peace be with you my friend. The world is not quite as bright without your big smile! You will be greatly missed by more people than you know. Until we meet again my friend.
Thank you for your service.
R.I.P.
Sir, you were a great leader of troops. I am honored to have had such a great HHC Commander. We grew close. May you walk with the Lord for eternity. I will miss you as well as countless others will miss you. You were a warrior, a great friend, an inspiration and a role model for others to follow. May the lord keep you in his hands. On this Christmas I will keep as candle lit for you on my mantel. For the family, may god give you peace and comfort in these trying day ahead. God bless you.
CPT K, you were a Leader, a soldier, a friend. Your loss continues to sink in as I think about you and our times together at the unit. You were truly one of the highlights of every Battle Assembly, you will be greatly missed.
Please except my condolences in this time of deep sorrow for the friends and family of Max. God’s word offers comfort and hope for the future. Revelation 21:4; John 5:28,29
My heart is heavy, I will miss you and the time we talk at work. You was a joy to talk to so military is what l love about you. Rest in peace.
I will always cherish the conversations we had. You have no idea how much you are loved. We will never be the same. Riverdale will never be the same. Your presence, your smile, your laughter will be terribly missed. Love you Maxamillion ???? Until we meet again.
I didn’t know you but read what a great Soldier and person you were. Thank you for your service! RIP!
It was an honor knowing you and training with you. You were always striving to be a better K9 handler and you were definitely the leader of the class. You will be missed my brother. RIP
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICES!!
YOU ARE TRULY A HERO!
We’ll miss you brother. Rest in peace, until we meet again.
I am shocked to hear that you are gone. We met in college and trained to be US Army officers together. I am honored and proud to have known you and to call you friend. You inspired and touched so many lives. Your watch is done. Rest now brother.
You will never know how many lives you touched. May God bless and keep you.
I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet you. It was always a pleasure whenever you came around. May you Rest In Peace.
Your impact in the 4th BDE was profound and resultantly will be enduring. You have left a tremendous hole in our hearts and in the leadership role you held that is yet to be filled. Prayers are offered for all those grieving your absence. Gone but never forgotten my friend!
Rest In Peace
Captain Chris Kerns – OHP
Wounded and heavy hearts, take comfort in the full and vibrant life that Sgt. Kalkstein lived. May you cherish each memory of him. May God hug each one of you and bring His peace that passes understanding. May His strength lift you out of the pit of sorrow and place your feet solidly on hallowed ground. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen.
My heart goes out to.the family during this most difficult time. Peace be with you and the loving hands of God.
Thank you sir for your service and dedication to our country. I personally do not know you and yours but I know that it is an honor to lift your family in prayers and love. Thank you for raising such a fine young man. Gone too soon. Never forgotten. Hail and farewell. That which is remembered lives.
RIP brother. We’ll hold hold the line from here. Abbeville Police Department, GA
Thank you for your selfless service and dedication to duty. In your life, you displayed the character, respect & honor, in both the US Army and then as a police officer. You were good and did a great job. You will not be forgotten.
R.I.P Max you were such a great person and I always enjoyed talking to you. You will greatly be missed. See you on the side.
So sorry for your loss may God give u comfort and peace my child is a law officer i pray for her daily as for the rest
Many prayers for peace, comfort and strength for both blood and blue family. May God test his hands on you and ease your pain. Rest easy Officer Kalkstein.
LEOW, T. Shelley
May your Soul Rest in Peace. I pray that God give you strength, comfort and peace. As long as you hold on to the memories you shared with your dearly departed love one, he will always be with you. God needed another special person to join his force and he chose him.
Heartfelt condolences to his family, brothers and sisters in blue, and all who knew him. What a blessing to know that life’s final journey leads to the eternal peace that waits for us in Heaven. We hope it softens your sadness to know that he is walking in the light of God’s love. Prayers for peace, strength, guidance, direction and comfort in the coming days.
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I’m gonna miss you my precious. So full of life and always trying to help everyone. It’s not the same without you. Thanks for making me smile and being my extra kid. You are truly loved and missed. ????
My condolences and prayers to the family.
Josh, I learned of this in New London Day. I sent it around to a few old Pfizer colleagues. We are thinking of you and your family.
Dave Dresback
Stonington CT
Thank you Max for your service to our county and to the citizens of Riverdale,
Rest in peace brother, well done.
Rest in Peace brother. We lost you but we will never forget you. Your Riverdale PD family will miss you especialy D team. It was an honor working with you.
Prayers for this Family.
Please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences. My prayers are with the family and everyone who is affected by the lost of our brother in arms.
CPT K, you will truly be missed my friend. Thank you for the opportunity to serve along side you as the 1SG. My condolences and prayers to the family, 4th Brigade, and Riverdale Police Department.
I always enjoyed when you would come by the fire house because you had a smile that would make the other guy smile especially when thing were bad that day . Thank you for your service and friendship. Rest in peace brother.
I will always remember your smile, positive conversations, and “get it done” team disposition…You will be missed.
Thanks for all that you’ve done to ensure our safety! Praying for your family and may heaven receive you openly, rest on..
You will be missed brother! I remember all the calls we were out on and how you helped me out. Take care and see you on the other side!
CPT K, You were a great leader. I am proud to have served under your Command. Battle Assembly won’t be the same without you and that infectious smile. Thank you for your leadership and for your service. You will be missed.
For the family, Riverdale PD, & 4th Brigade, I pray you are blessed with peace and comfort during this time of sorrow.
Thank you for everything you did! RIP hun
Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Maxim was a good man and will be missed by so many. Gone too soon, loved by so many. RIP Max
My condolences to your family, Max. I always knew you would do great things, on and off the field. It was my pleasure to watch you grow as a teacher and coach. Thank you for supporting me early in my career. You are gone too soon. Rest in peace Max.
I’m so very sorry. Rest In Peace max. Trevor I’m so very sorry. Please accept my respects and deepest condolences really and truly.
RIP Sir, my heart is heavy right now hearing this news. May God bless you and your family
My heart is heavy with grief. Sending my condolences from Afghanistan. I know you’re watching my six.
Semper Fidelis Captain.
Still can’t believe it or understand it, he recently moved in our neighborhood, really nice and caring guy, always first to help anyone or animal RIH my friend.
I am in shock and my heart is heavy after hearing about your passing. I will miss you and BA will NEVER be the same for me without you. I looked forward to drill every month knowing i would hear your voice, your laughter and seeing your smile. Your light still shines bright and YOU will always be my Cpt. Casanova Kalkstein! as i affectionately called you.
I knew him for 4 years and can say he was a nice guy.I am shocked by the news, I hope you rest in peace!
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I hope the words found at Revelation 21:4 brings comfort.
7 months later and I still think of you every day, Max. I miss you, man.
Even after all this time, I miss you and love you!
I woke up to a reoccurring nightmare the other night of this guy. I went to HS with him, he was a bully. I’m sure those posting here fully mean what they say, maybe he was actually kind – I would never have known.
To his parents, I am so sorry you lost your child. I understand how cruel the world can be. To his actual friends – I’m so so sorry you lost your companion.
To me? This person kept me up at night, I didnt have the bravery to search for them until more than a decade later. After enough therapy to confront the abuse. The way they treated myself day by day was disgusting. I’m sure I’m not alone. To those also on this path, case closed. Heal on.