When Corbett wasn't out on the high school dairy farm he was right next door in these classrooms behind me, encouraging 900 students to be successful in agriculture. Students and teachers say they've not only lost a friend and colleague but an expert in the Ag industry.
A fellow teacher tells us that while working on a dairy can be peaceful, bulls can present an unpredictable and dangerous environment.
It was in these dairy corrals on the Tulare Joint Union High School district's farm where Corbett was killed after being attacked by a bull early Sunday morning. He was known throughout Tulare and the agriculture community as a kind man who loved teaching children about dairy and the county's rich agriculture.
Dave Caetano, H.S. Ag Dept. Chair, says "You could just see it and he loved the kids he really...enjoyed working with those kids and the dairy projects and he…he was the guy that everybody knew. Max. And now…they know he's gone."
Officials say the 17-hundred pound bull that killed Corbett was big and fast and ran freely with the dairy cattle.
"It's hard to get out of the way and that's what happened he was just in the middle of the corral and couldn't get to a fence or post fast enough," says Caetano.
His wife called 911. When police arrived they had to use a Taser to fend off the bull.
This was the second time the bull had attacked in 24 hours. Colleagues say a student was slightly injured after the bull became aggressive the day before. Corbett was checking up on the bull to make sure it didn't charge at anyone else.
Corbett was known simply as "Max" to everyone in school. Students and colleagues say they're devastated by his loss.
Drent Denney, student, says "He didn't treat us as students he treated us as family."
Alfonso Gamino, Assistant Superintendent, says "You can't express it in words what he meant to Tulare and everyone here in the community."
His family has set up a memorial fund:
Max A. Corbett, Jr. Memorial Fund
Tulare Joint Union High School District
426 North Blackstone Avenue
Tulare, CA 93274
Max Corbett's family tells me they're greatly appreciative of the community's support during this tragic time. A memorial service will be held for Max at the Agri-Center in Tulare at 11 am this Saturday.
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