Max R. Matteson II

Max Richard Matteson II, 95, of Hockessin, DE, died peacefully on March 28, 2026.

Max was born in Flint, Michigan in 1930 and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan to his parents who were educators. He attended Ann Arbor High where he was the captain of the football team. After graduating, he went one year to the University of Michigan before attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He studied Electrical Engineering and served 4 years in the Navy, making 2 trips around the world.

Max loved the water. He grew up spending summers with his grandparents on Lake Michigan. His dream was going to the Naval Academy where he spent time on the water rowing crew for 3 years and playing water volleyball his Senior Year. Later, summers were spent with family on the Chesapeake Bay, in Suttons Bay, MI and vacations at the Jersey Shore. After raising their children, Max and Ruth moved to a home on the Elk River -a home his children and grandchildren loved to visit.

Max met the love of his life, Ruth on a blind date in 1953 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. They were married on December 23, 1955, at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church and celebrated their 70th anniversary this past December with their 3 children.

Max worked on some of the first computers at Burroughs in Malvern, PA and finished his long career as a computer programmer at DuPont Louviers in Newark, DE.

Max was an active member of Paoli Presbyterian Church in Paoli, PA, Wesley Methodist in Elkton, MD and later a member of Red Clay Creek Presbyterian in Wilmington, DE. He served as treasurer and Elder. He also went on several mission trips to Costa Rica, Mississippi and Maine. Max was active in Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Chester County.

Max was an avid handball and tennis player, playing tennis until the age of 89. He loved trains and spent hours setting up track and painting scenery in each of his homes. He enjoyed painting, assembling models of trains, airplanes and boats. Max was a skilled carpenter, having built many rooms and other projects.

He will be missed by his family and friends for his humor, generosity, steadfastness and sharing his love of the water and nature.

Max was preceded in death by his mother Margaret, father Max and brother John. He is survived by his bride Ruth Peirce Matteson, daughter Meg Aument (Dave), son Max Matteson III (Carol), daughter Amy Evans, six grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Food Bank of Delaware or Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church.