Rick Mattos Obituary

Richard (Rick) Allen Mattos

Rick Mattos, 84, passed away November 17, 2016 in Ashland, Ore. due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born June 10, 1932 to Ada Marie Metzler Mattos Smith and George Frank Mattos Sr in San Jose, Calif.

Rick grew up in Pacific Grove, Calif. and was the high school student body president in 1950. He spent two years in the United States Army during the Korean War, then obtained his bachelor and master degrees at Fresno State College. He taught high school in Bakersfield, Calif. for five years before moving to Ashland in 1963 to teach at the School of Business at Southern Oregon College (now SOU.) As the college grew, he became the director of institutional research and then business manager until his retirement in 1987.

He and his whole family are fervent outdoor lovers and enjoyed many camping, hiking, backpacking, and motor home trips. He was an avid skier, dancer, tennis player, and birder. He loved to travel and worked as a cruise host for eight years after his retirement, circumnavigating the globe twice. Rick was active in civic affairs in Ashland and served as president of the Ashland Kiwanis Club in 1969 and was named Ashland’s man of the year. He was a 50-year member of the Elks and his many volunteer activities included the SOU Raider booster club, Mt. Ashland Association, Britt Festival, Shakespeare Red Coats, PTA, YMCA, Rogue Valley Symphony and Opera. He also enjoyed being part of the Ashland Racquet Club, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, PCT Association, Moose, Eagles, American Legion, Amigo Club, and the Bear Creek Greenway Association. He enjoyed heading the Old Folks Ashland Tennis group for many years and could be found most every Thursday of the summer at the Ashland City Band concerts in Lithia Park.

He leaves behind many loving memories sharing his zest for life and enjoying it to the fullest.

He is survived by his soul mate, Kay Leybold; sons, Gregory (Annie) Mattos of Ashland and Steven Mattos of Tigard; step-daughters, Lauree Sanders of Ashland and Sherry (Ryan) Lassen of Eugene; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, George and his granddaughter, Bryony.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. November 27, 2016 at SOU’s Student Union.