Richard Joseph Matte Jr

A life cut short. The cross section of a felled tree will capture its essence. To a wood carver the grain with its scars and burls is what gives the masterpiece its true beauty, combining artistry with a whisper of the forest.

On the evening of January 18, 2025, at age 67, Rick Matte passed quietly in his Oregon home, with Christine Matte at his side. His children survive him, including many brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, a few cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends, too numerous to list here.

As a descendant of the Yakama Nation, Kānaka Maoli, and the Tulalips, his life was spent in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, which cleans the air and provides a home to the wildlife we love.

Welcoming him on the other side is the Lord he loved, his over-worked and underappreciated Guardian Angel, as well as his parents, Dick Matte and Jeri Olney, brother Blanchard, sisters Sarah, Anne, and Sherry, nephews Spencer, Jeremy, and Manolito. Generations of grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins stand in the background anxious to greet his arrival.

Strength and stamina are the most often used words to describe Rick because he enjoyed working with his hands, volunteering to do the heavy lifting, and sometimes dangerous jobs. Yet, he was gentle and caring, listening attentively and speaking casually to anyone. Words like, "trickster" and "that fun guy" are then tossed into the playful and optimistic mix, a messenger of joy lifting negativity wherever it crept in, expressing love more fully in most daily endeavors.

Remember Rick as a favorite memory, like a welcome patch of green our eyes seek as we gaze out our windows, or a hooting night owl in the branches reminding us of the mystery of life, or the agile flight of a hummingbird powerfully defying gravity while sipping the sweetness of nature. And use this memory as comfort as our journey continues. 

Celebration of Life will be held in Mulino, Oregon May 2025 TBA