Donald R. Mathews, 84, passed away Sunday January 17, 2016 at Green Hills Health Care Center in Ames, IA. Don was a dedicated educator and taught social studies in Bethany, IL, Bettendorf, IA, and then at Perry Community High School from 1967 until his retirement in 1988. He was committed to fostering critical thinking and had high expectations for his students. Don and Joan shared a commitment to helping others and fostering world harmony through participation in such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Friendship Force International and the United Nations Association. After retirement he loved international travel and meeting people of other cultures. Don was an environmentalist his whole life and loved gardening, camping, hiking and canoeing.
He is survived by Joan, his wife of 60 years, and children, Kathy (Ed) and David (Pat), eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren, and brothers Robert (Pat), Alan (Sandy) and Steven (Janet). He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Edna Mathews, and brother Howard Mathews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 23 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, 1015 N. Hyland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames or the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
"Don's family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Larry Otteman, the nurses and staff on the oncology floor at the Mary Greeley Medical Center, and the staff at the Green Hills Health Care Center for the exceptional care and support they provided throughout the final years of Don's life."
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Our sympathies to Joan, Kathy & Ed and family in your time of need. Our thoughts and prayers are always with you.
I (Roger)enjoyed having Don as a colleague on the staff at Perry High School for many years. I always considered him to be a conscientious professional educator. Similarly, Donna learned a great deal about teaching social studies from having Don as one of her supervisors when she did her student teaching. We extend our most sincere condolences to Joan, Kathy, and Dave.
Ray and Margaret Harden are traveling in Ecuador and asked that we extend their sympathy.
I'll always remember that when I aced Mr. Mathews' government test, he was rather upset that he hadn't written a harder test. I was a bit puzzled at his reaction at the time, but now, as a college professor, I definitely understand. I am grateful that he was a teacher who wanted to make sure his students were challenged.
my sympathies, your dedication in your care I've observed as I resided in the Health Care unit,commended.
Joan and Mathews' Family
My condolences to you during this time of your loss.
As a PHS junior and senior, Mr. Matthews was my greatest inspiration to embarking on a high school social studies teaching career that's now in its' 28th year. I can't thank him enough for all of the positive influences he had on me in each of his courses I enrolled.
God bless Mr. Matthews.
Don was the best high school teacher I had in my years at Perry High School. A dry sense of humor I respected and enjoyed even after my years there. A very admirable man.
Service
Ames, IA 50014