Matthew J. Botos

Do you speak English lol I´m just so forward that we lost such an amazing person and this is voice to text. I know how much he meant to his family. It breaks my heart as I didn´t know. As well as you do nor could I ever, but there was a girl from Maui that truly adored everything he represented. I don´t have a tattoo, but I sure feel like getting one.

My sincere condolence on the loss of Matt. He was so vibrant, and smart and fun.

I am incredibly saddened to learn of Matt's passing. I have known Matt for over 20 years and count him as a good friend. We met as he was doing work with the Illinois Biotechnology Association (IBIO) back in the late 1990's. I worked closely with him on numerous initiatives to promote the biotechnology industry in Illinois and in numerous other states. He was truly a man for others.

I last saw Matt at a holiday get-together here in Washington, DC last year. No matter how long it had been since we had seen one another, seeing him again was an instantaneous event. We would immediately relive and remember the people and stories from the years we worked together. Every time I was in Chicago, he acted as the consummate host. There was not a venue in the city where he didn't immediately know someone, or was able to get us the best table at a great restaurant - usually on Division Street (where we always seemed to end up). He was incredibly charitable with his time and would drop anything and be there if you needed him for something.

My last correspondence with him was typical Botos. In October of this year I was traveling through Chicago to visit my daughter at the University of Wisconsin. I texted him about possibly getting tickets to a Bears game on the Sunday we were planning to depart. Within minutes he responded that he was "on it" and would get me a list of options. Unfortunately, the timing did not work out. But as usual, Matt was there readily, willing and able to make it work. That is how I will always remember my friend.

My deepest condolences to Lynn and the Botos family. I will miss him dearly and remember him fondly.

Matt was one of a Kind! Though I'd known Matt for 20 years, I never really knew how Matt made his money, yet he always paid his share and more and he never asked for anything more than friendship. He loved Chicago and Illinois. If the Governor or Mayor said no, he just smiled and went to the Secretary, Chamber President or some other source and got what was needed. He'd give you the shirt off his back as well as his shoes, pants and coat. He made work with him fun. He got things done with laughter and joy and yes he broke a few eggs doing so. He didn't get along with some, but he was respected by all. Was he Republican or Democrat? Blue Blood or Blue Collar - I never knew. He mixed in every circle and got along with most everyone and he was able to open every door. He knew the bartenders and the owners, the cops and the elites. I was lucky to recently share dinner and a night out in "his Chicago" this past August. I was in town from Washington, D.C. and we had not been together for several years and we had not kept in touch too well, but I had become a brother to him when we organized Chicago's first BIO convention and that meant I was his brother for life. After five minutes it was as if we had never been apart. He was that kind of soul. I miss him, his laugh, stories and his can do attitude. Let's keep his memory alive and continue to feel his impact in our lives.