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Ray Matheny Obituary
Ray Thomas Matheny, 95, passed away on July 1, 2020, surrounded by loving family. Ray was born on February 15, 1925 in Los Angeles, California, to Raymond Thomas and Edna Ryan Matheny. From the time of his first airplane ride at age 5, Ray had a love of aviation that lasted throughout his life. He was curious about the world and immersed himself in the pursuit of life-long learning. Ray was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He dedicated his life to seeking truth and serving his country, family, and friends.
He was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in the Army Air Corps and volunteered for combat flying in Europe. After surviving being shot down in a B-17 bomber over Germany, he spent 16 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag XVII-B in Krems, Austria. After the war, Ray developed a career in aviation and spent further time serving in the military during the Korean War.
Ray attended Brigham Young University where he received bachelor's and master's degrees in archaeology. He completed a Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Oregon.
In 1948, Ray married Patricia Smith and they were the parents of six children. They later divorced and he married Deanne Gurr in 1979, and they had two children. They were married for forty years at the time of his death.
For many years, Ray was a professor of anthropology at Brigham Young University where he led numerous archaeological projects, including various areas in the US and several in Mexico and Guatemala. He mentored many students who went on to productive archaeological careers.
Ray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served in many different callings over the years.
Ray is survived by his wife Deanne, children: Michael (DiAnne) Matheny, Kathleen (Jessie) Anderson, Lucinda (Terry) Walker, Daniel (Shari) Matheny, Lisa (Justin) Holmes, Nicole (Scott) Huddleston, and Julia (David) Halverson. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren, as well as numerous great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jon, granddaughter Emily, and great-granddaughter Juniper.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.warenski.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Ray Matheny
Shirley Weathers
May 21, 2023
This tribute comes late, but I immediately thought of Ray this morning when I read this morning in the Washington Post about yet more evidence found of the marvels of the Mayan Civilization in Guatemala. I had the privilege of meeting and working with Ray and Deanne through our mutual membership in the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition (Utah). And those were only two of his many areas of influence. He will be sorely missed by so many people and in the so many areas of endeavor in so many ways. Rest in Peace, Ray and my deepest condolences and love to Deanne and his entire family.
David Nauta
December 19, 2021
Deanne,
I was thinking of Ray this morning and just found this obituary over a year from his passing. I am so sad to hear this. The world has truly lost one of the great ones.
Some of my fondest memories are getting to know Dr. Matheny and his young Family while living in tents down in Nine Mile Canyon during the 1991 Field School. The long days of survey and nights of lab work were never long enough. I never tired of learning from Ray´s visionary methods - or hearing his stories from his past adventures. Ray was the Real Deal!!! The adventures of Indiana Jones pale in comparison to this real life Hero and Impeccable Scholar!!! I know his life example and legacy has inspired countless students and others to follow their dreams.
I have enjoyed reading the comments of the others here, and feel fortunate to be among those who new Ray as a Friend.
David Nauta
19 December 2021
Karen Herman
August 4, 2021
This comes late but with heartfelt thanks to Mr Matheny. My uncle was Charles V Blondell who joined Ray on that final and fateful flight. I was not quite four at that time but I remember that phone call to my mother that day and her reaction to the news. It was somewhat unclear what exactly happened but now I know thanks to Ray´s wonderful book. This will forever be kept in my family as a true and treasured account. Thank you so very much.
Karen Lindquist Herman, daughter of Clara Blondell Lindquist.
Brad Henderson
November 24, 2020
He was an amazing professor. The most memorable I had. I think about his classes often. He will be terribly missed.
Richard Fike
September 22, 2020
I enjoyed working with Ray and the archaeology dept. at BYU. We spent numerous hours collaborating in Montezuma Canyon and jointly working with field school students. He often asked me to join him flying over the canyons of SE Utah searching for Anasazi associated towers and field houses in his precious Mooney airplane. I spoke with him this spring and we refreshed our many memories together. Friend and colleague Richard Fike
Sally
August 21, 2020
Ray Matheny’s death.
I just learned of Ray’s death in June.
Oh my heart. There was something about Ray!
My name is Sally and I am a producer at PBSUtah (formerly KUED) Public Television. Ray arrived at our KUED studio in February of 2005 to interview for our Utah WWII Stories project. I was so affected by the details of his incredible story—free-falling from a flak and debris-filled sky, the day to day life as a prisoner of war, his empathy for starving Hungarian Jews who he witnessed, “with their faces down to the ground eating the new shoots of grass.” Eight years after that interview Ray was honored at the University of Utah’s 2013 Veteran’s Day Commemoration Ceremony. I remember Ray beaming with gratitude.
My deep condolences to the Matheny family. How fortunate you are to have lived with and known such an exceptional, kind, and brilliant man.
Rest in Peace my friend. I look forward to reading your war memoir.
Shane Baker
August 14, 2020
Deanne and family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Ray’s passing and I express my deepest condolences to all of the family. I am sorry that I just barely missed seeing you guys in Nauvoo a year and a half ago when you visited the archaeological project there. I had the wonderful opportunity to work and associate with Ray for many years during the time I was on the faculty and staff at BYU and was fortunate to have an office opposite his lab and office at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, which afforded me many chances over the years to interact with him and discuss a wide range of archaeological topics. It was a blessing to be able to study under Ray when I was a student at BYU, and then to go on to enjoy working with him when my career took me back to BYU. He was a pioneering figure in so many ways and was an important influence and mentor for me personally. I remember spending a day with Ray and several other BYU archaeologists in Montezuma Canyon in the mid-1980s, and was amazed that those of us who were easily 25-30 years younger than him were having trouble keeping up as he set the pace scrambling over the canyon and hiking to various sites! I enjoyed talking to him about his experiences during the War and love and respect him for his patriotism and service to our country. He will be missed, but leaves behind a wonderful legacy both professionally and personally in the lives that he has touched and influenced in one way or another.
Sarah Baer Sappington
July 29, 2020
Dr. Matheny was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend. I took classes from him at BYU and he was on my thesis committee for my Masters. I worked with him to summarize his work in southeastern Utah. I was always impressed at how he could hike faster than I could at 70 vs a 20 year old! He was so knowledgeable and I always enjoyed the conversations we had. I have continued my career as an archaeologist to this day, a legacy of both Dr. Matheny And BYU. Condolences and love to his family.
Rita Souther
July 13, 2020
I cannot tell a short story, and in over 45 years of knowing Dr. Ray T. Matheny, there are a lot of stories. From my days as an archaeology student and that first field trip to Montezuma Canyon in October 1971, to field school in 1972 (shared a tent with Glenna Nielsen, Nan Card, Donna and Betty from Michigan, and others), and cooking for the survey crew in the summer of 1973 (Deanne Gurr and I shared a tent with about 10,000 Army Caterpillars), to Camp reunions, and occasional meetings and meals in Washington DC (I worked there and Deanne and Ray came to visit their daughter or attend meetings) or SLC (when I attended genealogy conferences), to lectures at the I Dig Nauvoo events last year, I never stopped learning from Dr. Matheny.
The most outstanding lessons were not in the classroom, but in the field. One evening in 1973, the survey crew, Deanne and I were in the van with Dr. Matheny driving back to campI think we had been on a longer field trip, not just a trip to Blandingand I rather thoughtlessly asked how he had been shot down in WWII. I think I only expected to hear flak or in a battle. Instead, we heard the whole story, from the description of the plane and crew, to the hit, floating down through the debris, farmers/villagers finding him and turning him over to the Nazis, then life in Stalag 17-B, and the final death march. He was calmexpressing no anger, resentment, or hatredjust talking with his hands and driving with his knees up and down the canyon roads, recounting one, if not the most, life-changing event in his life, and in the history of the 20th Century.
Another lesson was on Nancy Patterson Ranch in Montezuma Canyon when he stood on that little mesa and related the whole history of the canyon from the time of Anasazi occupation, to the pig and cattle ranch occupations, and the senseless logging of the last yellow pine in the canyon. I think this was about 1986 when several of former students were attending a field school reunion. Hearing the big picture made every sherd, displaced bone, eroding creek bed, and remnant of habitation take on a meaning that no memorization of classroom facts ever provided. His understanding and appreciation of nature and mans place in it was inspiring and encouragingespecially how he could encourage you to learn more and to do more with a few quiet words and experiences rather than by lecturing, ranting and raving.
There were a lot of funny memories, toolike watching him and Danny read an Avengers comic book. Danny was enraptured, but Ray was concentrating and not quite sure about all the super-heroeshis curly hair was in his eyes, his brow furrowed, and that deep-thinking look in his eyes. And learning to operate the generatorsdid I really stick my hand in that dark, place where reptiles could lurk?to life in the Camp Cottonwood Mess Hall, where one oven worked and one lit in a wall of flames and civilization was having a few hours radio reception for local play-by-play baseball, farm reports, controversies over the wigwam type waste burner, the Navaho Gospel Hour with Jimmy Swaggart and the Inspiring music of the Golden Gospel Pianoyours absolutely free with a $20 donation. And of course, the Great Morel Debate that occurred when the delicious spring mushrooms popped up at the campgrounds during the 1973 survey crews stay. I recognized them, having grown up picking morels in Missouri and Illinois, and Deanne and I picked all we could find. Ray recognized them as edibles, too, and relished having fried mushrooms with our steaks that evening. But Rich Hauk refused to eat them so he could rush us to the hospital when we were dying from eating poisoned mushrooms.
One of his endearing qualities was always being interested in his former students and their lives, whether they continued in archaeology or notlike me. My skills and interests took a turn to the historic time period and genealogy, but I always felt kind of a failure for not continuing in archaeologythat I had not fulfilled my youthful dreamsthat it had been such a struggle to make sense of and remember the prehistoric data. In recent years, I talked to him about those feelings, and he said with wisdom and comfort, You found your niche. How fortunate I was to have a teacher and friend who had found his niche and so willingly and generously shared his knowledge, skills, and compassion with his students and friends.
Carolyn Flatley-Gilkey
July 10, 2020
I was sorry to learn of Dr. Matheny's passing. I will never forget the days of field camp, the forest service survey,and the many trips to get there. I particularly remember his war stories as he and Shelly and I drove to Montezuma Canyon one spring. When I suddenly appeared at Edzna, he invited me to stay, although I didn't. I'm sure his letter of recommendation helped me get experience digging in Yorkshire. My sincerest sympathies to all the Matheny family. Carolyn Flatley-Gilkey
Diana Hawks
July 8, 2020
I was so blessed to have had Dr. Ray Matheny as an archaeology professor and head of my Master's Thesis committee at BYU. I loved spending time in the field with him in Chiapas, Mexico and Montezuma Canyon, Utah. It is because of Ray's influence and guidance that I had a wonderful career as an archaeologist in Cultural Resource Management and also working for the Bureau of Land Management. His enthusiasm for archaeological research was contagious. I'll never forget a time when he, Deanne and I were checking out a Mayan ballcourt in the Chiapas Highlands and realized, when walking on the trail out, that the "mountain" we had passed on the way in was actually a very large pyramid overgrown with the native forest. You couldn't help but get excited when you saw how thrilled he was at the discovery. He had such a knack of infecting his students with that thrill of discovery and guiding them toward success. I owe Ray and Deanne so much for contributing positively to my life. Ray lives on in the lives of so many....may God bless his family in this time of separation and grief. We are so much better for having known him.
Diana (Bounty) Christensen Hawks
Larry Davis
July 7, 2020
Over the years I learned to appreciate Ray as a teacher, a friend, and a great example. In my association with him in class, on field trips and listening to some of his life's experiences, he became a hero to me. He was a good teacher and set a good example. I wasn't by any means the best student in the Department, but Ray helped me in my journey to my Master's degree. Our outdoor experiences included field trips in the four corners area. One of the real highlights was a field trip when we flew to the Yucatan peninsula and stayed in a Mayan village. It wasn't just an adventure, but was also a great learning experience. There are so many good memories of classes, field trips, sitting around the campfire listening to stories. The day came that Ray encouraged me to apply for a position as manager of the new Anasazi State Park in Boulder, Utah. I was chosen for the position and enjoyed teaching people the respect and admiration for the earliest inhabitants of the area that Ray had instilled in me. Throughout one's life, a person has experiences with people, a few of whom leave a real mark. Ray was one of those people, and although we will miss him, his influence will always be here.
Grace Duffy
July 7, 2020
Dr. Matheny was bigger than life. He gave us a foundation as young scholars that lasted us a lifetime. Ray never forgot that he was once young and what it meant to be confused about the simplest things in life. He was so much more than a faculty member. Ray was a mentor of the highest sort. He saw the best in us. He was kind when we needed a reprimand. We learned more than Anthropology or Archaeology from him, we learned to be adults. Dr. Matheny will remain in our hearts forever. Love and blessings to his family.
Richard Stamps
July 7, 2020
We will miss a friend, a scholar, a mentor, a role model.
Richard Stamps
July 7, 2020
Ray Matheny was a kind mentor, friend, and scholar who cast a long shadow. He touched so many lives. He was always honest to his science and his beliefs. He had a passion for Historic Preservation. I remember listening to him plead his case for saving archaeological sites on National Public Radio. Pot Hunters look out.
As an undergraduate at BYU, Ray helped me understand the relationship between Anthropology and Archaeology. He helped me decide on a life time career and passion. As a young, incoming graduate student interested in China I told him I wanted to do a "library" thesis about the Chinese Neolithic. He said "well, if you work with me you will use the library, but you need to get your hands dirty". Field work was part of who he was. He helped me get a teaching assistant job on campus where I met students I am still in touch with today.
Ray created a field opportunity on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico for Evan DeBlois, Fred Nelson and myself to pursue two MA's and a PhD. We were the first to take the Department's new, bright yellow Suburban and drive it Campeche. We treated it with kid gloves. We met Ray at the airport in Merida. He took the wheel because he knew where we were going. He "broke it in" on the ox cart road into the jungle. He didn't want us to feel bad about scratching it up and knocking off the crome decorations.
When I started studies at Michigan State Ray helped me with a great job as the Assistant Director at the Field School in Montezuma Canyon. I learned so much. He helped me learn the joy that comes from working with students and watching them grow.
Ray also had the ability to think outside the box and see a Kiva (think Picket Fork ) with all it's defining traits, even thought some older scholars said, " a Kiva by definition is round".
We were blessed to know Ray Matheny.
Bob McPherson
July 7, 2020
Dear Deanne--I just learned of Ray's passing and was saddened to hear of this loss of a great man. Although I did not know him well, all of my interaction with him was so friendly and positive. He made some huge contributions in many areas--his war time service, work in archaeology, and as a teacher. How fortunate I am to have known him. I hope that you will be comforted in this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
LeGrand Feher
July 6, 2020
He was a true Gentleman and a Scholar in every sense of those words.
He will be missed, but what an amazing life he led.
Joel B Murphy
July 6, 2020
Sending my deepest sympathy to Deanne and the Matheny family as I process the news of Ray's passing. Ray has been a very special family friend for many years and I have been proud to share the same day of birth, 15 February -- just a mere 24 year apart. My father Joseph R. Murphy was a colleague of Ray's at BYU for may years and I had the opportunity to spend a semester attending one of Ray's classes in the early 1970's. We re-connected again a few years back and I have enjoyed visiting with him on several occasions, including our birthdays. I have shared Ray's book and story about his WWII experience with many
family members and friends -- he has been a 'living hero' of mine and I will miss him dearly. My daughters and their children will always cherish the memory of joining the Matheny family on the BYU Football Stadium field when Ray was recognized as an honorary alumnus as he lit the 'Y' in pre-game ceremonies. Another highlight was to invite him and Deanne to join us when the Commemorative Air Force organization made a visit to Heber valley and Ray was able to take us on a personal tour through a restored B-17 Bomber that he had actually flown 10 years previous from Provo to Colorado and back. It was a thrill to watch other visitors listen to his story that day and request his autograph -- it was a memory I will always cherish. I feel confident that he is flying once again above us in the full glory he has earned...never to be forgotten.
Doyle Ray Oakey
July 5, 2020
DeAnn and Family,
Please accept my condolences. Ray was a very important mentor and friend to me at BYU.
I can confidently say I am a better human for having known Ray, he integrity, energy, and passion for truth guided my own scholarship and work.
Doyle
Joel Janetski
July 5, 2020
Deanne and Family,
It was with great sadness that I heard of Rays passing. I came to know Ray best after we both retired from BYU. He and Deanne generously invited me to stay with them during my regular return visits to BYU for research. Their home was filled with books, magazines, and numerous mementos of their work, all of which Ray seemed to have read and remembered. I always enjoyed our stimulating conversations that grew out of our common interests. We both held the students we were privileged to work with in high regard.
Ray is missed by many, including me. He was an amazing person. May peace be with you and your family, Deanne
Joel Janetski
Friend and Colleague
Floyd Steed
July 5, 2020
Deanne and family, we are so grateful to have known Ray. I will always treasure the conversations we had; especially those pertaining to our mutual love of aviation. It was my pleasure to serve as his ministering companion and have the opportunity to feel of his great spiritual strength and love for the Gospel. As a military family, we deeply respected his personal sacrifices made in the service of our country. We offer our most sincere condolences. Floyd, Dee Dee and Taylor Steed.
Ronnie Lorge
July 5, 2020
An outstanding uncle so many memories and so much learned god bless
Jim Dykman
July 5, 2020
Perhaps some agree that dr. Matheny made mistake as he signed off on my masters thesis as chairman. I got my chance to go into field in San Juan county in 1972 not because I was brightest of his SW student, he figured out I could get from one place to another in San Juan county in the department 4 wheel drive vehicles to pick up students and supply them. I owe a great deal to Ray who helped me start a 47 year career in archaeology. [and he did not yell at me when I had to walk back to field school in Montezuma Canyon and tell him that the fan assembly on a new backhoe came apart and chewed through the radiator]
Jim Dykman
July 5, 2020
Perhaps some agree that dr. Matheny made mistake as he signed off on my masters thesis as chairman. I got my chance to go into field in San Juan county in 1972 not because I was brightest of his SW student, he figured out I could get from one place to another in San Juan county in the department 4 wheel drive vehicles to pick up students and supply them. I owe a great deal to Ray who helped me start a 47 year career in archaeology. [and he did not yell at me when I had to walk back to field school in Montezuma Canyon and tell him that the fan assembly on a new backhoe came apart and chewed through the radiator]
Fumi Arakawa
July 4, 2020
Dear Deanne,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. Please take care of yourself, Deanne
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