Max Tishler was born in Boston in 1906 to a family of very modest circumstances. His outlook on life was shaped by the devastating effects of the 1918 influenza epidemic. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in 1928. After he received a Ph.D. in chemistry at Harvard University in 1934, he spent three years as an instructor there before joining Merck Laboratories in 1937. Dr. Tishler’s historic contributions to medical chemistry led him to the presidency of Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories in 1957. He later became senior vice president for research and development of Merck & Co., Inc. His many contributions to human health and medicinal science, among them the development of production processes for drugs ranging from penicillin to cortisone, earned him the accolade, "a giant on the chemical scene these past 50 years," when he received the National Medal of Science in 1987.
     Retiring from Merck in 1970, he began a second career at Wesleyan University where he taught medicinal chemistry and advised graduate and undergraduate students. He established the annual Peter A. Leermakers Symposium in 1972. Named Emeritus University Professor of the Sciences in 1975, he continued his daily office and laboratory routine until shortly before he died in 1989 from complications of emphysema. After his death, President Chace of Wesleyan said, "Max Tishler has been a mentor to countless younger scientists. He will be deeply missed."

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