1950
Robert
2016
Robert Michael Mateus
July 10, 1950 — July 11, 2016
Our wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin passed away surrounded by family on July 11, 2016, after a long and arduous struggle with multiple health issues.
Robert Michael Mateus was born July 10, 1950 in San Fernando, California to Frank and Helen Mateus. He was the fourth of six children. In his younger years, Rob could often be found at the beach, listening to the radio, playing the guitar, and surfing. He was a proud and decorated veteran, having joined the United States Army in 1969 and deploying to Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1972.
After leaving the military Rob traded the sun of Southern California for the mountains of Utah, exchanging his surfboard for a pair of skis. It was on the slopes where he met his future wife, Kris, whom he married on August 2, 1981.
Rob took advantage of his mountain home frequently biking, hiking, skiing, and fly fishing with his friends and family. He was an avid golfer, going so far as to learn how to drive a ball one-handed after a stroke paralyzed his right arm.
The sport Rob loved the most was soccer. He was heavily involved in the local AYSO region with coaching his kids’ teams, refereeing, tournament organization, fundraising, and more. He delighted in seeing the sport played at all levels. During his last weeks of life he shared that some of his proudest moments were related to coaching and seeing his children succeed at and enjoy the pastime he adored so much.
In recent years, Rob took great joy in volunteer work. He travelled with the American Heart Association to Washington, D.C. several times to meet with national lawmakers in addition to lobbying his state legislature on behalf of the cause, earning him the organization’s Man of the Year Award. Healthsouth Rehab Center enjoyed his visits several times a week for nearly ten years, where he would go to speak with recent stroke survivors in order to calm their anxieties, boost morale, and help in the recovery process any way he could. He worked the front desk once a week at the Road Home to give back to the community, especially homeless veterans, a cause close to his heart.
Rob had a talent for bringing humor to even the most difficult situations. He viewed laughter as the cure to everything: sadness, anger, insecurity. There was not a single thing that couldn’t be fixed by cracking a smile. He was always described as the most entertaining and fun person to be around due to his boisterous sense of humor, and he had no problem dancing like no one was watching, even when everyone was. His enthusiasm, smile, and laugh were infectious, and he was gracious enough to share them with the world at every given chance. He made friends with everyone he met, from the doctors and nurses that cared for him over the years to strangers walking their dogs past his house as he sat on the front porch.
The greatest pride and joy in Rob’s life were his kids. His entire face lit up and his smile was unparalleled when discussing each child’s accomplishments, hobbies, and personalities.
Rob was an ardent music lover, showing his kids all the greats in music, especially Earth, Wind and Fire and the great Frank Sinatra. On the many occasions he came to what appeared to be the final stopping point in the road, he forged a brand new path and continued on. He truly did it his way to the very end.
To all whose lives Rob touched, raise a glass of Jack Daniels on the rocks or red wine to him and remember his charisma, perseverance, humor, confidence, and most of all, his intense love for life and those around him.
Rob is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of thirty-five years, Kristine; his children Matthew (Tamara), Amanda, Allison (Philip), Alexander, and Sydney (James); granddaughters Ryann, Emily, and Mia; brothers Frank, David (Kathy), and Thomas, sisters Maureen (Dennis) and Cynthia (Rod), an aunt and many adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM, at Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights.Service Information
Viewing July 16, 2016 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Funeral Service
July 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Robert Michael Mateus was born July 10, 1950 in San Fernando, California to Frank and Helen Mateus. He was the fourth of six children. In his younger years, Rob could often be found at the beach, listening to the radio, playing the guitar, and surfing. He was a proud and decorated veteran, having joined the United States Army in 1969 and deploying to Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1972.
After leaving the military Rob traded the sun of Southern California for the mountains of Utah, exchanging his surfboard for a pair of skis. It was on the slopes where he met his future wife, Kris, whom he married on August 2, 1981.
Rob took advantage of his mountain home frequently biking, hiking, skiing, and fly fishing with his friends and family. He was an avid golfer, going so far as to learn how to drive a ball one-handed after a stroke paralyzed his right arm.
The sport Rob loved the most was soccer. He was heavily involved in the local AYSO region with coaching his kids’ teams, refereeing, tournament organization, fundraising, and more. He delighted in seeing the sport played at all levels. During his last weeks of life he shared that some of his proudest moments were related to coaching and seeing his children succeed at and enjoy the pastime he adored so much.
In recent years, Rob took great joy in volunteer work. He travelled with the American Heart Association to Washington, D.C. several times to meet with national lawmakers in addition to lobbying his state legislature on behalf of the cause, earning him the organization’s Man of the Year Award. Healthsouth Rehab Center enjoyed his visits several times a week for nearly ten years, where he would go to speak with recent stroke survivors in order to calm their anxieties, boost morale, and help in the recovery process any way he could. He worked the front desk once a week at the Road Home to give back to the community, especially homeless veterans, a cause close to his heart.
Rob had a talent for bringing humor to even the most difficult situations. He viewed laughter as the cure to everything: sadness, anger, insecurity. There was not a single thing that couldn’t be fixed by cracking a smile. He was always described as the most entertaining and fun person to be around due to his boisterous sense of humor, and he had no problem dancing like no one was watching, even when everyone was. His enthusiasm, smile, and laugh were infectious, and he was gracious enough to share them with the world at every given chance. He made friends with everyone he met, from the doctors and nurses that cared for him over the years to strangers walking their dogs past his house as he sat on the front porch.
The greatest pride and joy in Rob’s life were his kids. His entire face lit up and his smile was unparalleled when discussing each child’s accomplishments, hobbies, and personalities.
Rob was an ardent music lover, showing his kids all the greats in music, especially Earth, Wind and Fire and the great Frank Sinatra. On the many occasions he came to what appeared to be the final stopping point in the road, he forged a brand new path and continued on. He truly did it his way to the very end.
To all whose lives Rob touched, raise a glass of Jack Daniels on the rocks or red wine to him and remember his charisma, perseverance, humor, confidence, and most of all, his intense love for life and those around him.
Rob is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of thirty-five years, Kristine; his children Matthew (Tamara), Amanda, Allison (Philip), Alexander, and Sydney (James); granddaughters Ryann, Emily, and Mia; brothers Frank, David (Kathy), and Thomas, sisters Maureen (Dennis) and Cynthia (Rod), an aunt and many adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM, at Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights.Service Information
Viewing July 16, 2016 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Funeral Service
July 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah
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