Collected Works of Richard L. Matteson Jr.
[under construction]
Currently the only section that is nearly complete is: Performance Articles by Richard L. Matteson Jr. I've started working on the other sections, will update as time permits.
CONTENTS:
Autobiography of Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Books: Fiction by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Published Books: Non-Fiction (Music) Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Performance Articles by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Magazine Articles by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Recordings (Discography) of Richard L. Matteson Jr
Videos (You Tube Videos) of Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Artwork by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Reviews by Richard L. Matteson Jr
Poems of Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Songs by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
Unpublished Music: Matteson Publications
Original Instrumental Compositions
Fishing Articles by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
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[It never really considered life without my father, he was always there for me and for us. He was not intrusive, rarely angry, and always concerned and generous in many small ways. He had been through a lot-- heart attacks, disappointments and difficult situations but he never complained. He was very strong both physically and mentally. Even in the grips of the cancer that killed him and regardless of his often poor health, his spirit remained steadfast. Part of me is gone-- that loss will never be filled. I realized the many blessings I have had and will forever remember fishing in Blue Lake or in Canada, crabbing at Taylor's Island on the Eastern Shore, arrowheads and baseball cards. TY dad. I love you.]
Dad's Obit:
Quote from Thomas Browne 1605-1682: “We carry within us the wonders we seek, without us"
Richard Matteson Sr., 1928-2014
Courtesy of Ann Matteson
Richard Matteson, 30-year professor, died at age 85 on Feb. 13, 2014.
by Ellie Silverman; Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 1:02 am
On a piece of paper tacked onto the bulletin board in Richard “Dick” L. Matteson’s office was the quotation, “We carry within us the wonders we seek, we seek the wonders we carry within us.”
Matteson, a university professor for more than 30 years, died of cancer in his College Park home on Feb. 13 at age 85. His words, however, continue to inspire Mary Duru, his student from 1975, who has carried around a copy of that quotation with her for the past 76 [36] years.
“In fact, it is hanging on my kitchen wall as we speak,” Duru said last night. “When you ponder that [quotation] for a while, you really feel empowered that what you’re searching for was really within yourself.”
Matteson tried to instill that feeling of empowerment in his students, Duru said. He was a professor in the education college’s human development and quantitative methodology department for more than 30 years, and Duru said he dedicated countless hours to helping students reach their goals, even taking them out for Ledo pizza.
“He was a good teacher because he didn’t let you rest. He wanted you to think,” his wife, Ann Matteson, said. “His love of people and the love of his students and the generosity, he was always willing to give his time and effort.”
After serving in the Army for two years in Korea as a first lieutenant, Matteson earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at this university. A proud alumnus, Matteson held football season tickets every year since 1954 with his wife of 61 years, and they were present at the Oct. 19, 1957, game when Queen Elizabeth II was in the crowd at Byrd Stadium.
“We were there when Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth came to the football game,” Ann Matteson said. “It was exciting, it was very exciting. We just enjoyed being out in the autumn air and rooting on the football team.”
The Mattesons’ four children attended University System of Maryland institutions, and their family took in six other students from this university and helped them pay for college.
One student, Edward Constantine of Jamaica, came to this university on a soccer scholarship but lost the scholarship when he hurt his knee in his first semester. Ann Matteson said he lived with her and her husband until graduation.
“Oh, we enjoyed having Ed here,” Ann Matteson said. “We had lots of fun and lots of anecdotes.”
Years after graduation, Matteson continued to stay in touch with alumni. Duru said Matteson also remained close with her and other faculty from the education college after his retirement.
“Every Christmas for as long as I can remember — now this is going to be very emotional for many of us next December — there would be a potluck and we would go to Dick and Ann’s house there in College Park for a gathering,” Duru said. “Someone would call out which carol they’d like to sing next, and we would sing for a good hour after dinner. This was a very tight group of friends.”
Duru said she was grateful for Matteson’s generosity. He helped her get a grant to complete her doctorate dissertation. And when she graduated with her doctorate, the Mattesons opened up their home for a graduation party.
“In some ways, he was a father figure. My own father had died when I was 16. ... I always knew he had my back and he was looking out for me,” Duru said. “I know he will be missed by so many. He reached so many lives and was such a positive influence for students at the University of Maryland.”
Matteson is survived by his wife, his four children, Richard Jr., David, Suzanne and Jeffrey, and his grandchildren.
A memorial celebration will be held at University United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. The Richard L. Matteson Scholarship Fund, under the education college, has been set up for students in the Human Development and Quantitative Methodology department.
Staff writer Ellie Silverman is a freshman journalism and government and politics major covering city council. You can reach her at esilvermandbk@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter at @esilverman11.
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