Donald A. Van Matre

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on August 17, 2015:

Don Van Matre Donald Augustus Van Matre of Annandale, Virginia died peacefully on August 11, 2015 at the age of 85. Lieutenant Colonel Van Matre, the son of Janet Marie Benton Van Matre and Herschel D. Van Matre, was born in Paris, Illinois in 1929. Colonel Van Matre graduated from West Point In 1951 and served in the Army for twenty years. During his service he had assignments at West Point, the Artillery Board in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. He also served abroad with tours of duty in Salzburg Austria, Korea, Frankfurt Germany and Vietnam. It was in Salzburg that he married Betty Ann, his wife of 62 years. After retirement, Don entered the teaching profession. He taught high school Physics for many years and embraced all aspects of education to include coaching and other extracurricular activities. Don is survived by his wife Betty Ann, sister Janet Leonard, children David (Angie), Claire, and Barbara (Tom). He also has four grandchildren, Jason, Megan, Tyler, and Marissa and two great grandchildren Walker and Miller. A celebration of Don's life will be held on Saturday August 22, 2015 at St. Stephens Methodist Church, 9203 Braddock Road Burke, VA 22015. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. with the service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Stephens Memorial Fund or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Published in The Washington Post on Aug. 17, 2015

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