Robert A. MATTHEW

1946 - 2023

June 3, 1946 - March 24, 2023

Robert Anthony Matthew, 76, suffered a heart attack and passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 24. Rob was born in Spokane, grew up in the Spokane Valley, and attended school at St. John Vianney and Gonzaga Prep High School where he graduated in 1964.

That same year, Rob married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Gibbins, and became a father at the early age of 18. Rob and Cheryl were married for thirteen years and had three children together: Dan, Heather, and Carol. Though they divorced in 1977, they remained close friends until his death. He was married to Crislynn Cross Mudd from 1988 to 2010. From 1964 until his retirement at the age of 55 in 2001, Rob worked for Kaiser Aluminum. In his early years at Kaiser, he attended Eastern Washington University and graduated while working rotating shifts and raising a family. During retirement, he started RAM Tech Industrial, a soda-blasting business that he owned and operated for several years. Rob was an active member of the Auxiliary Coast Guard and served in several positions including Coxwain and Vice Commander of the Flotilla.

Rob's interests ranged from all things related to railroads, lanterns, gardening, history, old westerns, baseball, books, antique stores, thrift stores, and anything that reminded him of his early years. He loved traveling and visiting historical places. He treasured his visits with friends, which he spoke of often.

Our father was a hard worker his entire life. He had countless projects and plans: planting flowers, plants, and bushes, working on house projects, and tinkering with anything broken so he could save money on repairs. This often led to frustration, choice words, and the need for help from his friends or his brother Dan, an expert handyman. Rob and his brother Dan worked closely together on many projects during the final years of his life.

He was well known for being a prankster, the family antagonist, a needler, and a rough houser. He loved to "share" his politics especially when they differed from yours. Endearing now, but often led to bickering with his family. He was also known for his ability to squeeze every penny from a dollar but was generous at his core.

Many of our fondest memories of our father were at the lake, a place he loved and where he felt most at home. He was often first in the water, and he taught grandkids to dive from the end of the dock. He could wade out underwater with a kid standing on his shoulders, holding his breath longer than humanly possible, before launching them into the deep. Mornings at the lake often included huckleberry or blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, and sometimes pastries, which he preferred to eat stale. Coffee came from a percolator on the stove because it was better that way. Nights included fires in the fire pit, s'mores, and fireworks. Fittingly, Rob spent his final days at the lake.

Rob raised three of the most difficult teenagers a man could ask for. When one of us would apologize for being so terrible he would say "it wasn't so bad." I can assure you it was… with all three of us.

Rob is survived by his children, Dan Matthew, Heather Bach, and Carol Matthew Piles (Todd Piles); his grandchildren, Holliday Matthew, Christian Bach, Molly Matthew, Carson Piles, and Adrian Piles, and great-granddaughter, Elena Christensen; his siblings, Janice McFarland, Daniel Matthew, Kathleen Matthew, and Justine Baxter. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen Matthew (McMurtrey); his father, Robert Matthew; and his sister, Colleen Ciasullo. Rob's life was significantly marked by the loss of his mother at age 12. We take comfort in knowing our dad will be greeted by his beloved mother, father, and oldest sister.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division St, Spokane. A reception will follow.

Dad, we will miss you and your stories every day until we see you again. We love you.