Loving Mr. Ragtime: Max Morath

After being friends for 30 years and sharing occasional Dutch-treat lunches, Max Morath ("Mr. Ragtime"), invited Diane Fay Skomars to attend "Jelly's Last Jam" on Broadway and to Joe Allen's after, and he, picked up the tab! They married on the shores of Lake Superior and had 25 years of love on the run, filled with their busy careers and determination to stay close. But life took a turn when, in his nineties, Max's health began to fail. They took the challenge in stride. In this moving, yet merry memoir, Diane shares from the heart and tells the truth about watching Max decline over five years and then witnessing his last breath. Their strength and inspiration came from their shared humor, love of music, and devotion to the other. This book winds the clock back in time, starting with a deep dive into widowhood, then Max's funeral, and then playing through all 60 years of their life in harmony only to end at the beginning.

Diane Fay Skomars is a proud Lutheran/Duluthian; Bulldog/Democrat; Finnish/Feminist. Diane holds two degrees in communication and put them to good use in higher education, serving three institutions in the areas of Student Affairs and Development. She has also been a professional photographer, public speaker, and traveler to 75 countries. Her first book, Have I Taught You Everything I Know? was written following 9/11 and dedicated to her daughter, Monette. Loving Mr. Ragtime is dedicated to her late husband, Max Morath. Although claiming to be an introvert, Diane found joy when she wrote and delivered her one woman comedy routine, "One Night Stand: The Lady Turns 80 and Has Something to Say." Diane is currently working on a collection of short stories including "The Question of Santa."