Kurt J. Matzdorf

New Paltz, NY

Kurt J. Matzdorf of New Paltz, died Saturday, December 20, 2008 in the Kingston Hospital. He was 86. He had lived in New Paltz for 51 years and prior to that in Germany and England.

The son of Wilhelm and Alice Frank Matzdorf, he was born May 26, 1922 in Stadtoldendorf, Germany.

He was Professor Emeritus of Gold and Silversmith and founder of the metals program at SUNY New Paltz. He was awarded the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of North American Goldsmiths. This is the society's highest award, which recognizes a lifetime of exceptional service to the metalsmithing community. He was internationally known for his ceremonial work, especially his 16 university maces, 20 presidential chains of office and 10 presidential medallions. He exhibited in major public museums on both sides of the Atlantic, including Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

He was the designer and creator of the SUNY New Paltz mace and chain of office. They were commissioned in 1981 for the inauguration of Alice Chandler, who was SUNY New Paltz's president through 1996.

He taught at SUNY New Paltz from 1957-85. He completed his undergraduate work in sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art at University College, London and his master of fine arts in silversmith at the University of Iowa.

Survivors include two sons, David Matzdorf of London, England and James Matzdorf of Rensselaer, NY; one sister, Elizabeth Duff of Oxford, England; and one granddaughter.

Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on December 26, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.

A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Emanuel, 243 Albany Avenue, Kingston at a time to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Kurt J. Matzdorf Memorial Fund, c/o The College at New Paltz Foundation.

Arrangements were made by Copeland Funeral Home, 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz. Condolences for the family may be made at www.copelandfhnp.com.