Stewart Burton Matthews Jr.

Stewart was born to Stewart B. Matthews Sr. and Joy Vivian Keck on February 27, 1931 in Evanston IL. He had two sisters, Mari and Della, both deceased. Stewart grew up in Evanston, IL. He attended Lake Forest Academy, Dartmouth and Northwestern University then joined the US Air Force. He became a fighter pilot, where he served mostly in far eastern tours of duty including being stationed in Japan and Taiwan. He was an advisor to the Chinese Air Force working directly with Chiang Kai-shek and earned many awards for his accomplishments. He retired from the Air Force as a Major after 22 years of service. He then settled down in Colorado and went into the real estate business, becoming a broker and owning his own company.

Stewart was dedicated to and passionate about his country. He had high expectations, was a perfectionist, and was devoted to his family, loved fine wine, food and music.

Stewart is survived by his wife of 42 years, Maryann Gerbosi Matthews. Also surviving are five children, Stewart, Mark, Scott, Patricia (Jerry Navarez) and Kirk, and one step son, David Gerbosi (Susan) and seven grandchildren, Kori, Jessica, Alyssa, Brigette, Josh, Nicole and Jacob and four great grandchildren, Harper, Wyatt, Maddison and Allison. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Arminta Poole Matthews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stew’s memory to the:

Heritage Foundation

214 Massachusetts Ave NE,

Washington, DC 20002-4999.

www.heritage.org .

The memorial service date still to be announced.

His favorite poem, by John Gillespie Magee Jr

High Flight

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things

you have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high un-trespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.”

Thank you for your service to our country and your devotion to your family....we salute you!

We will truly miss you… more than you will ever know and you will be forever in our hearts!