Gaylord Maxwell, a columnist, lecturer and founder of Life on Wheels (LoW), passed away Saturday afternoon after a short illness in Couer d'Alene, Idaho.
Throughout Maxwell’s career, he contributed extensively to RVBusiness, Trailer Life and MotorHome magazines, and continued to write periodically for the publications. Recently, in his last column as a regular contributor to Motorhome, which will be published in the magazine’s December issue, Gaylord wrote: “The reality is that you can have your cake and eat it, too.” And so he lived by his example.
In 1993, Maxwell began teaching a class in “extended-time RVing” for the University of Idaho's summer enrichment program, and in 1996 launched LoW, an intensive series of classes involving more than 150 different subjects for RVers presented over four days. Initially, LoW was based at the University of Idaho, but recently moved to Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, with satellite classes over the years in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Kentucky and Iowa. As recently as the first week in September, Maxwell taught four Life on Wheels classes to RV enthusiasts prior to the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show in Hershey, Pa. “I still enjoy teaching,” he said after the show.
In all, Maxwell recently estimated that more than 10,000 RVers — 20% of them first timers — have attended Life on Wheels.
Maxwell is survived by his wife, Margie. A private memorial service will be Friday. The family asks that donations be made in Maxwell's name to the donor's favorite charity.
He will always be remembered for his lifetime commitment to family, friends and RVing.
