Materials relating to the lives of progressive activist Max Gundersheimer (aka Gundy; 1910-1996), of New York City, and his partner of more than 60 years, Jack D. Bloch (1912-1996). The documents include correspondence, photographs, business, and financial records, as well as minutes and notes taken by Gundy of the meetings and other activities of Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive organizations in Long Beach, California, where the couple retired in 1977. Both men died in 1996, within three months of each other.

Max Gundersheimer, Jr., was born in New York City on December 19, 1910, to Max and Alice Gundersheimer. Little is known of his early life. He served as the President of Beth Sholom Peoples Temple Young Folks League from 1929-1930. In the early-to-mid 1930s he met Jack D. Bloch, a fellow New Yorker. Bloch was born June 4, 1912, and held a series of jobs in a variety of occupations until 1942. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe from March 1942 to October 1945. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Gundersheimer, who went by the name Max Gundy as early as 1944, became involved in the Communist party and other progressive causes; he became more actively involved after his retirement to Long Beach, California, in 1977. In 1950, Bloch purchased a home in Eastchester, Westchester County, New York, in which the two lived. In 1953, Bloch joined Gundy's printing business as an assistant production person in direct mail advertising. The business was dissolved in 1970, and both men obtained other related positions. In 1977, they retired and relocated to Long Beach, California, where they purchased a condominium. Bloch volunteered helping other senior citizens while Gundy took a more active role in Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive community organizations. He volunteered at the International Book Shop in Long Beach, of which he became the manager in the early 1980s. He also ran as the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for the 57th district of the California Assembly between 1980 and 1988. Gundy and Bloch both died in 1996, within three months of each other, after more than 60 years together.

4.8 Linear Feet

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