Matthew Arthur Carl Zapf

Matthew Arthur Carl Zapf passed away on August 31, 2024. He was born on August 26, 1988 in Chicago, IL to Matthew and Christine Zapf. Matt was raised in Peoria and Winnetka, IL with his four siblings, who he dearly loved. He studied neuroscience and attended medical school in Chicago before moving to Nashville for his medical residency. Here he met his wife, Melissa. Together, they made their home in Nashville and joyfully welcomed their son, Arthur.

Matt was strong, passionate, and brilliant. More importantly, he was truly good and kind. A devoted husband, father and friend, Matt cared deeply for the people in his life and actively avoided recognition.

Matt was an intensely curious person who loved to learn and experience and share with those he loved. Matt loved metal music: he studied every sub-genre, learned to play the guitar, owned dozens of metal t-shirts, extolled the virtues of a "mosh pit" to anyone who would listen, and took many of his people to countless shows so they could share in the experience (sometimes unwillingly). His passions and hobbies proliferated over the years - music, football, cooking, gardening, board games, gold-panning, reading, fishing, hiking, camping, and countless others. His love of the Chicago Bears was lifelong, and he didn't jump ship to a winning franchise even after marrying into a Kansas City family. Nothing made Matt happier than sharing what he loved with those he loved, and he had a gift for making the simplest things feel special.

Matt was fiercely generous. He volunteered for the "COVID Airway Team" as an anesthesiology resident, then gave away any respirator masks he had to friends he thought needed them more. He gave away thousands of dollars to his favorite restaurant and metal band during this time, trying to keep them afloat through the pandemic. He bought two of his favorite winter coats and gave one away to a stranger on a street corner who looked cold. He adopted the saddest rescue dogs he could find and made them extraordinarily happy. You'd be hard-pressed to leave the Zapf home without Matt handing you a book he thought you'd like and a handful of tomatoes from his garden.

Matt understood that life does not happen on its own. The life of an idea, a genre, a family, a garden...it happens because someone is intentional with their time, energy and investment to grow it. Matt saw his family and friends as part of his extended garden. He took the time to listen, support and help them grow. This came in many forms: he would help puzzle through challenges, offer a sympathetic ear, and send random gifts in the mail without signing his name. He shared his (sometimes strong) opinions when asked (and sometimes, when not), and he was fiercely in your corner when you needed him.

Most of all, Matt loved his people. Matt and Melissa met during residency and quickly fell for each other. Melissa was his partner, his friend and his love. Matt was not without his faults, and he was a better person because of Melissa. The couple supported each other through the peaks and valleys of medical training, the Nashville tornado, and the pandemic that followed. They traveled together: skiing down dozens of mountains, hiking across the Smokies, and visiting friends and family.

This April, Matt found his truest passion and purest joy: fatherhood. His son, "Art," was the light of Matt's life. The memory of Matt will carry on in the people who love his son.

Matt is survived by his wife Melissa; son Arthur; parents Matthew Sr. and Christine; siblings Brian (Carolyn), Terry, Patricia, and Caitlin; the McKittrick Family Richard, Beverly, Sarah (Chris), Christa (Tucker), Andrew (Lindsay); and dogs Cody and Pele.

A celebration of life will be held later this month. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the charity of your choosing or Arthur's college fund (via Art's code C5D-E6B at the website https://www.ugift529.com/). For those who feel comfortable, we are also collecting letters to teach Art about his dad, with more info on this at lettersforart.com.