Max Barth, 91, an accomplished painter and the former owner of Barth-Wind Furs in Morton Grove, died of cancer on Monday, Feb. 4, in his home in Arlington Heights. Born in Poland, Mr. Barth came to Chicago with his family at age 2. He attended the University of Chicago and in 1935 graduated from its law school, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. He married Esther Doppelt in 1939 and worked as a lawyer for a few years before going into the fur-coat business with his father, Charles. He retired about 1965. “He liked working with the people and all of his customers,” said his daughter Roberta Silvers.Mr. Barth began painting as a hobby, his daughter said, and grew quite skilled at it, using oil paints to create self-portraits and street scenes. He also was a good golfer who kept playing until he was about 85, his daughter said. Other survivors include two daughters, Donna Medintz and Sandy; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services have been held.
