Dewayne Matthews

Gladys, I am so sorry for your loss. Dewayne was a one of a kind, smart, cool guy. It was my pleasure getting to know him during my 3-year stint at the Education Commission of the States in Denver beginning in 2002. Dewayne had more ideas than we had time or talent to do!

Years later you, Dewayne, Ginny, Jim, Pam, Cathy, Diana and I had the opportunity to walk the English and Wales countryside on one of re trips Jim planned - the Shropshire (sp) Trail. What fun!

You and Dewayne were a great life team, both so smart, creative and full of life! I wish only the best for you as you move forward with some great memories of your time with Dewayne!

Big hugs to you! Charles Coble

Dewayne was an extraordinary man. I knew him as scholarly, kind, caring, knowledgeable, and as a loving husband. I first met him when he, and Gladys, joined our Las Guias/docent class several years ago at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. I was the lead facilitator for the class and knew the first day that there "was something special" about him. He went on to become one of our best guides. He was soft-spoken, scholarly, intelligent having a love for all things Heard, and presented his information in a way that kept the visitors engaged, impressed, and wanting more after the tour ended. I became President of the Heard Guild a few years later and needed to fill the Las Guias Education slot and knew immediately that Dewayne was the individual we needed to lead this important cadre of individuals. My heart goes out to Gladys in her time of loss. We, the Heard Guild, have also lost the opportunity to learn and be led by this extraordinary man.

Dewayne was an extraordinary man. I knew him as scholarly, kind, caring, knowledgeable, and as a loving husband. I first met him when he, and Gladys, joined our Las Guias/docent class several years ago at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. I was the lead facilitator for the class and knew the first day that there "was something special" about him. He went on to become one of our best guides. He was soft-spoken, scholarly, intelligent having a love for all things Heard, and presented his information in a way that kept the visitors engaged, impressed, and wanting more after the tour ended. I became President of the Heard Guild a few years later and needed to fill the Las Guias Education slot and knew immediately that Dewayne was the individual we needed to lead this important cadre of individuals. My heart goes out to Gladys in her time of loss. We, the Heard Guild, have also lost the opportunity to learn and be led by this extraordinary man.

Mr. Matthews- not too sure where to begin! you see Mr. Matthews was my first grade teacher and outside of my parents he was the first to believe in me when I´ve been believe in myself. Mr. Matthews saw the good and everybody an incredible listener and thoughtful person and a great conversationalist of all topics.. you will be missed my friend say hello to my pops and Dr. Donati.

I met Dwayne in England on two walks up down and through the English countryside. He was a good walking buddy,outstanding conversationalist.humorist and our group photographer.
Gladys...my heart breaks for you. I enjoyed walking,talking,laughing with you. You are strong and will keep him in your heart always. Love Ginny

Gladys, I am so sorry to learn about Dewayne´s passing. In our professional lives, he was my thought partner, advocate, and listener of all of the crazy ideas I could come up with. But after retirement, we shared an appreciation for his painting and my photographs. I followed your travels and loved seeing it through his art. Life was better if you counted Dewayne as friend! Prayers for you and your family!

I am so sorry to hear of Dewayne´s loss. I did not know him well, but he once shared something that really impacted me and I have remembered it my whole life. I was an intern at the Lumina Foundation and I admired how Dewayne always said really thoughtful things in meetings. I was talking to him once and he mentioned he was an introvert. I asked him how he was able to be a leader and an introvert at the same time. He shared with me that a good leader doesn´t always have to talk the whole time, and is actually better off listening to the group and then sharing one really insightful point that is thoughtful and responsive to others rather than trying to dominate the discussion. I have remembered that my whole life and it has really influenced my leadership style. I´m sorry for your loss and I hope you are able to have some good memories over this holiday season. - Quixada Moore-Vissing

I met Dewayne when I joined the board of Lumina Foundation. Dewayne's insights and thoughts, about how people are doing and how they are learning, greatly expanded my perspective, scientifically and personally. He was so very dear. This treasured painting from Dewayne hangs in the main passage of our house.

Such a loss. I worked with Dewayne for many years at Lumina Foundation, working very closely with him on a few projects. In recent years, we continued to work with Lumina as consultants. Through it all, Dewayne was the consummate colleague: always insightful, often brilliant, unfailingly cheerful, and just plain fun. I'll miss him very much. Deepest condolences to Gladys -- and profound thanks to her for being such a dear and loving partner to him.

I worked with Dewayne at the Lumina Foundation. He was authentic, intelligent and kind and the type of person you wanted to share space with. My condolences to Gladys who, no one can doubt, was his soulmate and partner in this life. I am blessed to have known him and to share some life experiences with him that were meaningful and provided an opportunity to grow.

We had a friendship of 50 years . We met when he became my sons first grade teacher .. 1974. He was a remarkable man. We will miss him . Gladys gave him such joy and happiness , I am so glad they found one another . Life´s blessing .

Over 30 years ago Dewayne´s wonderful voice, charming sense of humor and commitment to student success caught my attention. Thoughtful and amazingly persuasive - got me to go on a work trip to Alaska in January!

Dwayne was a kind soul, a thoughtful listener, an intelligent communicator, and a genuine person. He took the time to be present and engaged with both his heart and head. I am grateful to have known him and to have shared space with him on issues that mattered.

Just today I saw Dwayne and Glady´s Christmas card from last year. I had the privilege of getting to know them while working with Dewayne at Lumina Foundation. d
Dewayne was wise, kind and funny. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to Gladys and his family.

I first met Dewayne nearly 40 years ago when he was the young leader of the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education. Our personal and professional relationship continued over the next four decades. In countless meetings, discussions, and collaborations, I was the beneficiary of his thoughtful wisdom and insights. In the 1990s, Dewayne met Gladys, and it became apparent to all that knew them that this was a "match made in heaven." From that time on it was no longer, "Dewayne", but "Dewayne and Gladys." How lucky they both were to have found each other - and how lucky we all were that they did. In 2003, they joined Pam and I and other friends to walk for a week in the Yorkshire Dales of northern England, and then again in 2011 for a walk in Shropshire and Wales. Pam and I treasure those times together with the two of them and the rest of our happy band of walkers. Gladys - our deepest sympathies for your loss. Our hearts break for you.

Dewayne and his wife Gladys and I shared a 6 month training program to be docents at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. His verbal and intellectual skills were apparent from the outset, and during the all-too-brief 3 year period I was privileged to have gotten to know Dewayne and worked with him as a docent at the Heard, as well as benefited from his down-to-earth professionalism and gentleness. I will miss him greatly.

I was fortunate to share many enjoyable moments with Dewayne. I relationship began on a professional and business level and morphed to a great friendship with him and his wife. Thank you Dewayne.

Dewayne era una persona de gran corazón y de buenos sentimientos . Después de conocerlo durante años, puedo decir que era una gran persona, muy trabajador, comprometido y sobre todo se preocupaba mucho por los demás. Recordaré los buenos momentos en los que compartíamos anécdotas tomando una cerveza. Siempre tenía una anécdota divertida y nunca faltaban las risas. ¡Eres genial, Dewayne!

Dewayne was a great colleague and mentor. My most sincere condolences to his family and colleagues.

In the short time that we knew Dewayne at the Heard Museum we were so impressed by his depth of knowledge and his ability to share information in a clear and engaging manner. He was so kind to the group of docents who were trying to learn about the new exhibits at the museum. He always took time to explain everything and he accompanied his lectures with notes that were so helpful that I keep them in a folder to reference. He will be greatly missed.