Robert G. Matlock

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Lincoln High School University of Colorado

Robert Matlock Obituary

Robert G. MATLOCK Robert G. Matlock (Goldie) passed away peacefully at his Richland, WA home on Saturday, December 19 while being cared for by his loving wife Nancy. He was born July 10, 1933 in Post Falls, ID to Emma Victoria Anderson and Ronald Golden Matlock. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and worked as a mechanic before joining the Navy in 1952. On December 18, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart Nancy Ann Davis. Bob was discharged from the navy in 1956 and returned to Seattle where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U of W. While at the U of W Bob and Nancy were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Wendy. Bob continued his education at the University of Colorado where he earned a Ph.D. in Physics. His career included extensive work in fast reactor physics at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as well as management positions at both ANL East and West. These included Manager of the Zero Power Plutonium Reactor, Director of the SAREF Project and Solar Energy Program Manager. He also worked for Rockwell Internation al and the Department of Energy. Most of his Tri-City friends remember Bob as the WNP-2 Project Manager during the difficult construction restart and plant completion phase. Prior to suffering a stroke in 2003 Bob had an active consulting business, served on several boards and pursued his passions for remote controlled model aircraft and bass fishing. He was preceded in death by his daughter Wendy, a beautiful and talented young woman who worked tirelessly for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. He is survived by his wife Nancy, her sister Karen Newsome of Edmonds, WA, her brother Jay Davis of Woodinville, WA and their families. Bob had a keen intellect and a passion for life, learning, hard work and most things mechanical. He had a wicked sense of humor and was an excellent craftsman who built beautiful models and restored vintage cars. He was a good man who left his footprints on the sands of time. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You are invited to express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.einansfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Seattle Times from Dec. 22 to Dec. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Matlock

12 Entries

Brian O'Donnell

May 11, 2018

Never understood why he would put salt in his beer? In my teens he kept my car running and would always be on hand to teach me how to fix my car and he even painted it. Just heard of Wendy and Goldie's passing. There is a void in my heart. The Matlocks were the good part of my life during a troubling time. I always smile when thinking of them.

January 6, 2010

Nancy,

We are truly at a loss for words. We will miss the man so much. There are so many memories. But we have the two of you on disc at our wedding. What a beautiful couple! These moments will forever be with us. You, your husband, Wendy and Brandy became part of our life. A very precious part of our life.

All the "Goldisms" will never be forgotten. My first encounter with him at the Ranch when he saw how hell bent I was for change and he sized me up and said, "You may be right but you may want to pursue it by evolution rather that revolution"...good advice. And you well know my stories can go on and on. I have been angry, I have cried, the man was such a part of my life. He and Sol Levy were such a career influence.

Elisabeth and I will miss him so much. Our deepest sympathy. Please call and come visit. We really want to be with you.

Love and God's Blessings,

Warren and Elisabeth

January 6, 2010

Dear Nancy, I just learned about Bob's passing and .I'm sorry to be losing such a good friend. The last time I saw Bob was at my wedding in Toronto. We had a grand time visitng. As the Chairman of NOC at OPG, Bob's leadership was inspirational. On a personal note, he served as my mentor and sounding board. The "Phantom" always kept me on my toes. He will be truly missed.
Joan Murphy (Toronto, ON)

January 6, 2010

I have lost a good friend! Ken Carr

Jim Shetler

January 5, 2010

I knew Bob during his days as a consultant/advisor to us at SMUD during our Rancho Seco days. I always viewed him as a great wealth of advice and information and I know that our efforts at Rancho Seco were enhanced by his involvement. He will truly be missed by the industry and his friends. My sincere condolences to Nancy and the rest of the family,

Gregg Overbeck

January 5, 2010

Dear Nancy,
I am so sorry to learn of Bob's passing. For me he was a mentor, an inspiration and a role model. At Palo Verde from our dark days in the early 1990's through our 10 years of excellence, I can remember our discussions. He always had a purpose or a message. He provided it with great clarity and often with humor that exposed the obvious. I will always hold Bob's memory with the greatest respect. Gregg and Eileen Overbeck

Terry Radtke

January 5, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My condolences to the family. I have worked at the Palo Verde generating station since 1980 and have known Bob since the 80's. I read one of the notes about Bob having left his footprints in the sands of life. Nothing is more true than that with me. The first time we met, Bob took an interest in me and my career in Nuclear power. He was a mentor, a father figure to me, and helped me become a better person and a leader. He was there for me when my 19 year old daughter passed away on Christmas day of 2002, it hurt Bob so much to see me in such pain, he also did his best to help me through those tough times, knowing them himself. I talk to Warren Peabody about Bob everytime I see him. I will miss Bob, and am ever thankful for the interest he took in me as a person. My condolences to the family, Bob was a tremedous person and left a part of himself in all of us. What a wonderful life he lived and how fortunate to those of us he touched.

Malcolm Philips

January 5, 2010

Dear Nancy; I just learned of Bob's passing. I remember how wonderfully gracious you and Bob were to me during my trip to Richland, the food you prepared was awesome. Bob and I fished all day with an old bag (we both thought it was a wopper) for our physical reward. But during the day we talked about things of real importace, and as usual I was learing much about life from him. He will be sorely missed, but in a way his impact on peoople's lives stays with us. Thank you, Bob, for the lessons about life and your support. God Bless. Malcolm Philips

Vince Muir

December 23, 2009

Nancy - Bob Knawa informed us about Bob's passing - we were so sorry to hear that. Vince had a lot of fun times with Bob in the poker club in Idaho Falls as well as when we visited you both while you were living in Chicago. Please accept our condolences. Vince and Dee Muir

Julie Harrington

December 22, 2009

Dear Nancy,
I am so sorry to hear that Bob has passed away. Both of you were always so kind to me and I loved you so much. He always made me laugh and kept me on my toes. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
Love,
Julie Harrington

HERBERT GETCHELL

December 22, 2009

DEAR NANCY
BERT AND LUCILLE GETCHELL READ ABOUT GOLDIES PASSING IN THE PAPER .YOU WERE OUR NEIGHBORS IN SEATTLE AT N138TH BACK IN THE 1950'S GOLDIE WAS GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORKING I BELIEVE AT SAFEWAY AT THE TIME .WENDY WAS BORN WHEN YOU LIVED THERE .WE JUST KNEW GOLDIE WOULD DO WELL AFTER YOU MOVED AWAY WE WOULD SOMETIMES SEE A "RON" WHO LET US KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . THEN WE NO LONGER SAW ,'RON" SO WE LOST TRACT .WE WERE ALSO SADDEN TO HEAR OF WENDY'S DEATH .WE HAVE SUCH GOOD MEMORIES OF YOU AND GOLDIE WHEN WE WERE ALL VERY YOUNG .
SINCERELY
BERT AND LUCILLE GETCHELL

Gerald Sorensen

December 22, 2009

Nancy, I am sorry to hear of Bob's death. I worked for him at WNP-2 as the manager of licensing and had great respect for him. He was a good man and a good friend to all. I will not be able to attend the funeral as I am currently in Trondheim Norway. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. May God bless you with the strength to keep looking forward.

Gerald (Jerry) Sorensen

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