Eugene Allen Matthews

I met Eugene in Tokyo Japan back in the summer of 1980. We met because we both attended an intensive Japanese language summer program at the International Christian University in Mitaka for six weeks. Then later we found out we would both be attending Waseda University in Tokyo the following fall.

I was very fortunate to be able to spend a whole year studying, traveling, and just hanging out with Eugene. He was an intelligent, funny, larger than life personality....I will miss him.....The world will miss him...

Eugene made a strong impact on the people in my family. He was a good friend of my mom and helped my sister get a job in New York City. He gave our family so many great memories and laughs and was such a larger than life presence everywhere he went. Personally, he always talked sports with me and we shared a fandom for the basketball player Allen Iverson. He was so loving and cool and made everyone laugh. We will miss him dearly. Sending all the love and prayers Eugene and his family.
-Wilder H.

Eugene was one of the most influential people in my life. I first met him when I was around 10 years old when he lived above my mother´s retail store in telluride, co. He quickly became family to us. He would always yell my name RYANNNN as loud as he could when he saw me. He always made me laugh and smile. He always attended school plays I was in and would always be there for my brother and I. He then introduced me to New York City after I graduated high school and got me a job at The Mercer Hotel. It was because of Eugene I met so many incredible people there and then graduated from The New School. He was vivacious and had a larger than life presence. I am heart broken to hear he is gone. I love him so much and sending his family so much love. From Ryan Hanley

I was telling a friend of mine just this morning about Eugene. How we graduated together from Sharon, how successful he was in Vietnam, what a great person he was in all ways. I had lost track of him over the years but decided to Google his name, thus I found out he had passed away recently. What a loss for all who new him. And Dominic, I remember the Dr. J imitations!

It was devastating to hear of Eugene's passing. Our high school friendship encompassed a lifetime of fun and experiences. His accomplishments are amazing and he made a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. To this day I'll never forget him imitating Dr. J on the basketball court, and believing to his core he was just a step away from being an NBA great like The Doctor. That was Eugene -- indefatigable and an insipration.

Although I never officially got to meet my cousin Eugene, I have heard of his endeavors in both Japan and Vietnam. And as someone who is pursuing her own interest in the Korean language, I know we would have had loads of stories to share regarding our travels. Hearing of his accomplishments made me proud of him nonetheless.

- Shawna N. DuBose

I was a classmate of Eugene at Harvard Law School. We both graduated in the class of 1984. Eugene was a friendly, colorful, and popular friend. Everyone loved him. He was amazingly talented and had a stellar career.
Susan McCafferty Midd `79