Max Kade Foundation, Inc.
History
Max Kade (1882-1967)
Max Kade was born on October 13, 1882, in Steinbach/Schwäbisch Hall in Germany. At the age of 20 he travelled to and worked in Antwerp, Belgium. In 1904 he crossed the Atlantic arriving in Montreal, Canada. He arrived in New York in 1907. Shortly after his arrival he founded the successful pharmaceutical company, Seeck and Kade, Inc. Max Kade obtained the rights for the manufacture and distribution of a cough medicine, namely “Pertussin”. Mr. Kade became extremely successful as an entrepreneur and distributor of pharmaceuticals.
An advertisement for "Pertussin" cough medicine
In 1944, Max Kade and his wife Annette established the Max Kade Foundation, initially to help Germany recover from the effects of World War II and to improve international understanding and promote cultural exchange between the United States and German-speaking countries in Central Europe. His objective was “to sow the seeds of friendship where there had been enmity.” In 1956, Max Kade left his business and turned his full attention to philanthropy. He considered the exchange of knowledge among scholars and scientists to be of great importance. It was his belief that an increase in international cooperation in areas of scientific and medical research was critical to solving global problems and fostering friendship between the United States and German-speaking countries.
Erich Markel, Max Kade and Lloyd Worner
In addition to Max Kade being recognized as an honorary citizen of Steinbach (1929) and Schwäbisch Hall (1935), he received numerous honors from many universities. He died on July 15, 1967 at the age of 85 years and is buried in Schwäbisch Hall. After his death, the Foundation became the full beneficiary of his estate and continued to further the founder’s ideals and legacy.