Eric Mattson

Eric Paul Mattson

May 28, 1956 -

December 13, 2025

Raised in Lagrangeville, NY, Eric Mattson enlisted in the Air Force after high school and served 4 years at Andrews AFB. He then came to Albuquerque to attend UNM for 1 year and stayed for the next 45 years, working in AV and as a middle school teacher and notetaker for disabled students. He graduated from both CNM and UNM with honors.

Eric spent the last 27 years of his life with Melinda Lewis, his wife, partner, and buddy. They traveled to the Florida Keys, Mexico, Banff, and Kauai as well as local spots like Durango, Ruidoso, Las Cruces, and Red River. Eric was especially happy when he could have a green chile cheeseburger.

He loved many dogs and cats throughout his life and had recently been wearing a t-shirt from his cat Jet that boasted "Best Cat Dad Ever!" which is the absolute truth. He loved war-related nonfiction, watching the night skies, movies, and jokes.

Despite essential tremors and 3 years of cancer, he stayed easygoing and positive. He was always friendly and loved to chat with anyone. Eric lived in the present, not spending much thought or energy on the past, except for cherishing happy memories, or on the future. About death he always said, "I think the transition will be pretty easy, like stepping over a threshold." He believed in a wonderful afterlife where he would reunite with his parents, Richard and Jean Mattson, and see his beloved pets at the Rainbow Bridge.

May it be so.

I will miss you forever, my beloved. Your Minda Bo.