Max William Prosser

Max William Prosser, 90, passed away on October 18, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on June 11, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Virgil Alvin Prosser and Novella Alice Plettner. 

Max graduated from Lyndon High School in 1954. That same year, he met Phyllis Reeves, and the two were married on November 13, 1955, in Topeka. Together, they raised two daughters, Pam and Gwen, and shared 55 years of marriage filled with love and family memories, until Phyllis’s passing in 2010. 

Max retired from BNSF in 1996 following a distinguished 41-year career. He retired as assistant vice president, having also served as secretary and treasurer. His professional accomplishments reflected the dedication and leadership that also characterized his many years of community service.

A passionate supporter of Topeka, Max devoted countless hours to civic and charitable organizations. He supported Washburn University, the Sunflower Music Festival, Mercantile Bank, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the American Heart Association, and the Kansas State Historical Society. He also served as project chairman for the restoration of the Great Overland Station, helping preserve an important piece of the community’s history. 

Max was a member of First Congregational Church in Topeka and served as president of the board of Brewster Place. Through his professional leadership, community involvement, and commitment to the organizations he supported, Max made a lasting contribution to Topeka and its residents.

Max is survived by his wife, Elaine Carson Martin, Pam Bengtson (Mike); his granddaughters, Sloan Bengtson of Austin, Texas, and Sarah Alvarado of Topeka; and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis; his daughter, Gwen Scheidegger, who passed away in 2026; and his siblings, Patricia Power, Linda Prosser, and V.A. Prosser.

A memorial service to honor Max's life will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church in Topeka., 1701 SW Collins Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Congregational Church or Brewster Place.

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