Matthew Gervase Stiefvater

Matthew Gervase Stiefvater passed away on January 15, 2026, at the age of 78 due to complications from lymphoma. Known as “Matt” and “Steve” to friends, and “GPa” to his grandchildren, he leaves behind a legacy of service and enthusiasm for music, the outdoors, and life’s simple pleasures.

Born on November 26, 1947, to Gervase George and Mildred Estelle (Clark) Stiefvater, Matt grew up in San Francisco and Petaluma, California. He graduated from Petaluma High School before serving nearly four years in the U.S. Navy as a cook aboard both diesel-electric and nuclear submarines, receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. That same year, he married Pauline Joan Bachmann. After living in San Francisco and Dunsmuir, California, the couple moved north, settling first in Portland, Oregon and later the suburb of Oak Grove in Clackamas County, where they raised three children.

After a career in auto transport—during which he earned multiple safety awards, including recognition in 1995 for achieving one million miles of accident free driving—Matt transitioned into retirement by serving the community. He worked part-time for the North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and NorthStar Clubhouse. His involvement with NorthStar became especially meaningful in his later years, providing him with a sense of purpose, camaraderie, and a chance to put his culinary training to use preparing meals for Clubhouse members. It also gave him the opportunity to travel to Oslo, Norway in 2019, where he spoke at Clubhouse International’s World Seminar.

Matt lived with a youthful enthusiasm and curiosity about the world. In his earlier years, he loved camping, fishing, and riding motorcycles. Later, he found joy at the Oregon Coast, especially crabbing in Nehalem Bay in his 14-foot aluminum boat. Hawaii was his favorite vacation destination.

A devoted audiophile, Matt was a regular at Portland’s annual Waterfront Blues Festival. He cheered faithfully for the San Francisco 49ers and, in his adopted city, the Portland Trail Blazers. He enjoyed deli fare such as sub sandwiches, as well as Portland’s artisan coffee and microbrew offerings, but also embraced learning about foods that nourish both body and mind. He maintained a Buddhist-inspired insight meditation practice.

Matt is survived by Pauline, his wife of 57 years; his three children, Erich, Keith, and Marie Stiefvater; and four granddaughters, Audrey, Kate, Maci, and Nora Stiefvater.

A private family celebration will be held in his memory. In honor of Matt’s commitment to helping others, the family encourages donations to NorthStar Clubhouse, the Portland Insight Meditation Center, and the listener-supported jazz station KMHD. They also invite all who knew him to remember his advice: “Stay young at heart and don’t sweat the small stuff—because it’s mostly small stuff.”