Peter Matthews

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on October 9, 2006:

Peter Matthews Born August 27, 1927 - Died September 9, 2006 Peter Matthews was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 25 August 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the Army of the United States. His West Point classmates recall: "Looked at Central Area and other government property in view; walked in a military manner one year; reported some violations, but went on more calls than he repeated; found it a relief to quit his post; obeyed orders and talked to those who would listen; gave no cause for alarm and found that the cases were always covered by instructions, saluted, and was very watchful at night." During his cadet days Peter went out for Football plebe year and was on the Duty Committee cow and first class years. Upon graduation Peter went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to 463rd Troop Carrier Wing where he served from 1952 to 1953. His next assignment was to the 75th Troop Carrier Squadron where he served until 1956 when he resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant but remained as a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserve. In 1958 Peter earned an MBA degree from Harvard University. In 1972 Peter was appointed Manager and Executive Vice President of Cable Video, Inc. He became President the following year. In 1978 Peter was elected Chairman and Treasurer of Bullard Clark County Commission and the following year was named President of Doron Limited a position he held until 1983 when he took on the position of Treasurer of Mushroom Farms. Peter retired in 1992 and made his home in Stonington, Connecticut with his wife Anne. On 11-05-2004 Peter reported as follows: "My Day, a bit late" - Pete Matthews There is little to update here since the Fiftieth. Some complications from surgery limited the lifestyle for a while, but that is mostly in the past. Skiing is probably also in the past and, even more regrettably, tennis due to a bum shoulder. Anne and I, like most of you, enjoy travel and expect to do more. This year we checked out Vieques - not highly recommended. In the spring, however, with Dave and Kay Betts, we had a most delightful few days in the beautiful horse country of Middleburg, Virginia, where Dave's son has converted a Warburg estate into a splendid group of resort cottages. Those of you living near or visiting the Washington area would certainly enjoy an R & R at the Goodstone Inn. A bonus in the area was the Inn at Little Washington, one of the country's very finest dining experiences, but I hear the owners are splitting and it is to be sold. Anne has become a professor at nearby Connecticut College, so I am a bit of a house-husband. At home time goes toward reading, learning how bridge is now played, working on the board of a local opera company, and trying to improve our landscape. Anne's academic routine involves plenty of time off and so in a few days we are off to St. Martin to board the Star Clipper for a cruise of the Leeward Islands. My daughter Susie got her second Masters from Rhode Island School of Design this spring, this time in Ceramics, and she is setting up a studio (in) Pawtucket. Son Tom, now also in his thirties, is still fanatic about Ultimate Frisbee. Since his team sometimes wins national and world championships it is hard to dismiss. He also designs and fabricates custom metal furniture. Classmates are invited come visit us in our New England fishing village. The Obit in Stonington papers on September 10, 2006 read as follows: He was born and grew up in Philadelphia, where he attended local private and public schools. The Army Air Corps inducted him as the Japanese were preparing to surrender in 1945. He was trained as a cryptographer and control tower operator. After working in the control tower in Gander, Newfoundland, he was sent to the U.S. Military Academy prep school with an Air Corps appointment to West Point. After pilot training, he flew cargo aircraft in the U.S. and Far East for four enjoyable years. Upon leaving the service, he joined Allen Wood Steel Co. and then attended Harvard Business School. Then he was hired by Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, Mass., where he worked in domestic and international consulting, with assignments in Nigeria, India, and Iran and was the manager of Arthur D. Little in Greece. After three years in Athens, he returned to the U.S. and moved to Stonington to start cable television franchises in Groton and Norwich. With some associates he bought Franklin Mushroom Farms from Ralston Purina and served as treasurer for 10 years. He was also a founding director of the Bank of Mystic. Peter served on the boards of the Stonington Community Center, The Eugene O'Neill Theater, Lyman Allyn Museum, and most recently, the Salt Marsh Opera. In addition, he was treasurer of the Westerly Center for the Arts, president of the Village Improvement Association, and served on the board of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. He was an avid sailor and member of the New York Yacht club. He is survived by his wife, Anne Ford Matthews, and two children, Susan of Jamestown, R.I., and Thomas of Charlestown, Mass.; stepsons Curtis Jensch of Portland, Maine, and Eric Jensch of Venice, Calif. Memorial gifts may be made to The Garden Conservancy, PO Box 219, Cold Springs, NY 10516, or Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001, or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Stonington. Stonington." Pete and Marie Foss reported on the memorial service on 10-07-06 as follows: The Memorial Celebration of Peter Matthew's life was held on 06 October 2006 at the Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford CT. About 150 family, friends and business associates, many from the Philadelphia area, attended the celebration.. Representing the Class of '51 were Chuck Satuloff, David Betts and his wife, Kay (Dave was Peter's roommate for all four years at West Point) along with Peter and Marie Foss. A string quartet (two violins, a viola and a cello) provided beautiful music both before and during the ceremony. The "Welcome" and "Benediction" were offered by the Reverend Carolyn Petierno, Connecticut College Chaplain, Speakers included Daniel Quinn, a close friend from Stonington CT and Hingham MA; Drs. Jane and Jonathan Claney, Philadelphia PA, long time friends and Dave Betts who regaled the gathering with many stories of their long friendship including a funny incident that occured when Peter visited Dave in Spain. There was a card included with the program asking for memories of Peter that will be assembled into a book for his family. After the service, guests expressed their condolences to Peter's wife, Anne Ford Matthews, his children, Susan and Thomas and his two step-sons, Curtis and Eric Jensch. A lovely reception followed. The Class flowers were prominently displayed, a warm display of gorgeous Fall flowers. Peter was a sailor; and per his request, his ashes have been scattered over the Great Bay not far from his Connecticut home. Peter's family asked us to thank the class, not only for the flowers but also for their many kindnesses and encouragement during this difficult time. Peter/mef"

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