F. Mather Archer II

F. Mather Archer II RICHMOND - F. Mather "Matt" Archer II of Portsmouth and then Richmond, Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday May 23, 2010. Matt was born in Bluefield, W.Va. on Feb. 21, 1930, to Francis Williams Archer and Margaret Custis Perry Archer. He grew up in Staunton, Va. where he attended Robert E. Lee High School, graduating from St. Paul's School in Baltimore, Md. Matt served proudly in both the Navy and the Army during the 1950s. A practicing attorney since 1960, Matt was a graduate of the University of Virginia, B.A. 1953, LL.B. 1958. Later, he served as a mediator for the Christian Legal Society, founding the Christian Conciliation Service in Fairfax, Va. After "retiring," Matt served as a Virginia Supreme Court Hearing Officer. Matt was a member of the Virginia Bar Association and the Society of the Cincinnati, and was a happy volunteer on the USS Wisconsin of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, recently receiving his 1000- hour pin. Most recently he volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond after moving there to live with his daughter's family. Matt is survived by his two daughters, Heather Mackey and Beth Fisher, their spouses and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Perry Archer of Houston, Texas and his sister, Custis Clark of Princeton, N.J., and their families. Two memorial services will be held to celebrate his life: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27, Church of the Messiah, 816 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA and 11 a.m. Friday, May 28, at Hope Church at 12445 Patterson Ave., Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Attn: Capt. Smith, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Norfolk, VA 23510-1607. His family takes comfort in the fact that he was able to spend time living with each of his daughters during his last year and went quickly in his home, exactly as he wanted. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and his good dog Blue.