Obituary of Philip R. Matthews

Philip R. Matthews, of Schenectady, passed away peacefully on February 8th at Ellis Hospital with his loving family at his side. Mr. Matthews was 91 years old. The value of education, the virtue of hard work, Christian faith and service, and love for his family were the core of his life. Born on December 14, 1920, in Oakland, CA, to Henry Percy and Nellie Michols Matthews, he was the youngest of three siblings. Growing up in Oakland, he began working at age six as a street corner newsboy. As a young teen, he became a Boy Scout and enjoyed hiking in Yosemite, camping along the Russian River and taking a celebratory stroll across the just completed Golden Gate Bridge with his scout troop and invited VIPs before its official opening. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and had his Eagle wings pinned on by then District Attorney of Alameda County Earl Warren, later Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Phil attended Piedmont High School in Piedmont, CA, where he excelled academically. In his senior year of high school he earned the highest score in the country on the Bausch and Lomb Science Test. He was also awarded a prestigious Levi Strauss Scholarship to attend the University of California at Berkeley where he majored in chemistry. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was part of the Special Education Unit and studied at Penn State and then was assigned to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN as part of the Army Corps of Engineers. He also served in the Philippines, returning to the United States in 1946. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1947. In 1946, he married Ann Williamson of Fairview, PA, whom he had met at Oak Ridge where she also worked as a chemist for the Manhattan Project. Phil and Ann moved to Schenectady in 1947 when he was hired by the General Electric Company. He worked for GE for 25 years. For 20 years at GE-KAPL, Mr. Matthews worked on United States Navy nuclear propulsion projects, including the USS Seawolf, USS Triton, and USS Skate. He spent five years at GE-APED, San Jose, CA working on nuclear power plant quality assurance. He continued his career in nuclear power reactor design and safety, working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC until 1985. He and his wife then returned to Schenectady for their retirement. Mr. Matthews was an active member of Union Presbyterian Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder and trustee, as well as Scoutmaster of the church-sponsored Boy Scout troop. He was a member of the GE Elfun Society and, in his retirement, volunteered with the Red Cross. He was well known for being generous with his time, handy-man skills and helpfulness to those in need. During the many years he lived in Schenectady, he always enjoyed the time he spent at Sacandaga Reservoir with family and close friends. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Williamson Matthews; three daughters, Christina Campriello and her husband Austin V. Campriello of Pleasantville, NY, Barbara Matthews of Schenectady and Dr. Jane Matthews of Newton, MA. In addition, he is survived by eight grandchildren, Austin M. Campriello, Lucia W. Campriello and her husband Joseph A. Giallanella, and Susan C. Campriello; Alyson E. Pritchette and her husband R.Troy Pritchette, Christopher S. Pazro and Andrew J. Pazro and his wife Nicole Pazro; Anna C. Strewler and Elizabeth P. Strewler. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Pritchette, Hanna Pazro and Jameson John Pazro. He was predeceased by his brother Eric and his sister Marie. The family will receive callers at Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street,(at McClellan St.), Schenectady on Saturday February 11th between 10 AM and 12 noon. A service will be held at Union Presbyterian Church later that day at 2 PM, with a reception at church following. Interment at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY will be at 10 AM on Monday, February 13th. Contributions in Mr. Matthews' memory may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, 1068 Park Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308.