MATTHEWS, Peter D., of Needham, MA, age 93, died peacefully on November 30, 2016.
Beloved husband of the late Rev. Diane Perry Matthews. Son of the late Hilliard H. Matthews and Geneth (Murphy) Matthews of Douglaston, Queens, New York, and brother of the late Mary Jane Wager and Matilda Matthews. Father of Peter D. Matthews, Jr. (Karen Crook Matthews) of Canton, MA; Daniel P. Matthews (Genevieve M. Hammond) of Needham; and Andrea M. Matthews of Needham. Predeceased by Daniel’s first wife, Catherine C. Wong, and Andrea’s husband, Kevin Hubbard. Uncle of Robert Wager, Jr., Tracy Wager, and Jans Wager, all of Salt Lake City, UT; Deidra Wager of Seattle, WA; Matthew Wager of Denver, CO; John B. Perry of Francestown, NH; Carl A. Perry of Middletown, CT; and Judith Perry Schwartz of Edina, MN. Grandfather of Morgan A. Matthews (Victor Osinaga) of Barre, VT; Alexander M. Matthews (Colleen Wiggins Matthews) of Canton; John H. Matthews of Newport News, VA; Joseph S. Matthews of Arlington, VA; and Mary Elizabeth P. Matthews of Somerville, MA. Great grandfather of Samuel and Benjamin Matthews.
The former Business Manager and Assistant Treasurer of Charles Stark Draper Laboratory of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Pete worked for Draper (initially the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Instrumentation Lab) for forty years, retiring in 1989. His work contributed to Draper’s achievements in applied technology and engineering for civilian, national defense, and aerospace applications, including the inertial guidance system for NASA’s Apollo Moon missions.
Pete grew up in Douglaston, Queens, New York, and graduated from Bayside High School (1940). He earned a Bachelor’s degree at MIT as a member of the class of 1944, graduating in 1947 after service as an enlisted soldier and second lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II. At MIT, he was a member of the lightweight crew and Sigma Nu fraternity.
He was a resident of Needham from 1949 until his passing. From 1961 through 2014, he was also an active summer resident of Islesboro, Maine. Pete was a natural people person, getting to know people in every community he was part of, interested in what folks of all ages and walks of life were doing. Lifelong pursuits included travel, sailing, cooking, home, yard, garden, reading, learning, and discussing current events.
Pete savored many things in life: a good martini (one only, per day), a Sunday brunch with dim sum, a lawn well-mowed. He enjoyed the course at the Tarratine Club of Dark Harbor on Islesboro, even after he stopped golfing, offering energetic commentary on every hole. He was a founding member of the MIT/IL (now MIT/DL) Bridge Club, where he played regularly for many years.
He maintained loyal friendships for decades, at work, through MIT, and elsewhere; friends and family were engaged and improved by the lively curiosity, integrity, and appreciation that Pete brought to every encounter.
He was a supporter of MIT, in particular the Crew program and the Lewis Music Library; numerous activities of the towns of Needham and Islesboro; Boston area arts; and national/international charitable organizations.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, from 2-6 PM on Saturday, December 10. Relatives and friends kindly invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the MIT Music Library, attn.: Mr. Peter Munstedt, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-200, Cambridge, MA 02139-4822 or online at http://libraries.mit.edu/giving/.