Malcolm Matheson Jr.

MALCOLM MATHESON, Jr. Malcolm Matheson Jr. died at his home on December 21, 2007 from respiratory failure. He was born in Gloucester, Virginia on September 27, 1913. He was 94 years old. In 1919 he moved with his family to Wellington, the historic house on the Potomac River now known as River Farm and is the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. His parents were the late Malcolm Matheson and Julia Culbertson Matheson. His wife of seventy two years, Emma Tompkins Matheson, died on December 14, 2007. The couple, who died within a week of each other, met in the fourth grade. Mr. Matheson was educated at Friends School in Washington DC and at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia where he graduated in 1932. He attended Princeton University, where he was a member of the Class of 1936. He owned a concrete truck leasing company, Concerco, during World War II. He also had his own construction company which was responsible for building many private houses and commercial buildings which included the visitor's center at Mt. Vernon. He served on the Fairfax County Planning Commission early in his career. Later he became President on the Charles H. Tompkins Company in the 1950's, and after its sale, was named President of the H Street Building Corporation until his retirement in the 1990's. As the company's president he oversaw the completion of many of the residential and commercial properties at Pentagon City. Mr. Matheson also served on the board of the United Virginia Bank/Crestar for 35 years. Mr. Matheson built his home on the Potomac River near Mt. Vernon in 1938 and remained there until he died. He raised livestock such as horses, sheep, and pigs on the property, known as Ferry Point. He supplied Mt. Vernon with the hams for the smoke houses during the 1940's. A natural athlete (in his youth), Mr. Matheson was an avid tennis player, golfer, and yachtsman. He was also an accomplished horseman and had been a member of the Cassanova Hunt in the 40's and 50's He was a member of the Metropolitan Club and the City Tavern Club of Washington DC, the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, The Belle Haven Club in Alexandria, Virginia, and both the Riomar Country Club and the Riomar Yacht Club in Vero Beach, Florida, where he and his wife owned a winter home. Survivors include his six children: Emma Matheson Roe of Mendenhall, PA, Malcolm Matheson III of The Plains, VA, Torrey Matheson Cooke of Ridgefield, CT, Charles T. Matheson of Markam, VA, Lida Matheson Stifel of Darnestown, MD, and William John Matheson of Gloucester, VA, twenty grandchildren and thirty seven great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal High School Callaway Chapel in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday December 28, 2007 at 12:00 noon. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Horticultural Society,7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or to the National Parkinsons Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave. Bob Hope Road, Miami, Fl 33136-1494