Richard M. Matthews

It is with sorrow that I inform the Lubin community of the passing of one of the great architects and leaders of Pace University, Richard M. Matthews, CPA, whose career at Pace spanned 42 years from 1947 to 1989. A native of Brooklyn, Dick Matthews moved to the Ojai Valley, California in 1998, where he died on November 20, 2006 at the age of 96.

When Dick started teaching accounting at Pace in 1947, he knew that he had found his real calling. Prior to joining Pace, he served in the Navy Armed Guard during World War II and had a number of different jobs including policeman, CPA and several others in industry, but none could compare to the joy and fulfillment that he received from teaching. For most of his Pace career, Dick Matthews was a seminal part of the team headed by Pace's third President, Dr. Edward J. Mortola, which shaped the future of Pace and the Lubin School during a period of enormous growth and transformation for Pace from a single-purpose institution to a college and then a university.

Dick served as chair of the accounting department (which grew to include finance, management and computers) from 1950 to 1969, and was second dean of the Lubin School of Business Administration from 1969 to 1977. Among his many accomplishments were bringing the teachings of Peter Drucker, the much lauded management theorist, to Pace and launching an MBA program in management in fall 1960. In addition, on his watch, business education was brought to Westchester County, computers were introduced into the curriculum, the full- time business faculty more than doubled in size, and a CPA Advisory Board was established.

Pace bestowed its highest honor on Dick Matthews in 1976 by awarding him an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree, which coincided with his decision to return to his first love, teaching. He returned to the classroom and was welcomed by a whole new generation of students who benefited from his experience, dedication and caring approach to teaching. In 1982, he won the Kenan Award for Excellence in Teaching. After retiring from Pace in 1989, Dick continued to teach. He taught reading to second graders in Leonia, New Jersey, helped children at the library in Connecticut and taught Beginning Spanish to seniors in Ojai, California. He also worked twice a week as a volunteer at Oak Tree House in Ojai assisting seniors, many of whom were much younger than he. Wherever Dick lived he was always a teacher.

Many have described Dick Matthews as a Renaissance Man or a Man for All Seasons because of his many and varied interests, passion for life and unique ability to bring out the best in people of all ages and all backgrounds. After having a conversation with Dick, you end up seeing the world differently. Among his many interests and passions were playing classical piano, singing with the Collegiate Choral and Oratorio Society, hiking, bird watching, Gilbert and Sullivan, reciting Shakespeare sonnets from memory, tai chi and other forms of gentle exercising.

In a recent interview, Dick cited his greatest accomplishment and legacy to Pace as the many thousands of students that he helped to educate over a span of 42 years. Dick is survived by his sons Richard and William and his daughters-in–law, Toni and Ann, three granddaughters; a grandson; and five great-granddaughters. The family has requested that all donations in Dick's memory be directed to the Richard M. Matthews Scholarship fund at Pace University. Donations may be sent to the attention of Magdalena Rybicki, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Lubin School of Business on the New York City campus (mrybicki@pace.edu, 212-618-6418).

Condolences and acknowledgements to the family may be forwarded to Lynne Byrne, Associate Dean, who remained a good friend of Dick's and his family these many years.

Joseph Baczko
Dean
Lubin School of Business

Click to read "Richard Matthews, Still Inspiring Students" from the Spring 2002 Lubin Business.

		Professor Matthews presiding at the Semicentennial Convocation held on October 6, 1956 at City Hall Council Chambers. R. Matthews, standing; left to right: John Walsh, Edward Litchfield and Peter Drucker.
Dean Matthews in 1975 in his office at 150 Nassau Street overlooking City Hall.
Professor Matthews in 1950 and 1972, from 1973 Pace Legend Yearbook "Where Are They Now?"		Professor Matthews, Chair of the Accounting, Finance and Management Department, from the 1967 yearbook.
Professor Matthews enjoying lunch in Chinatown in the late 1970s with Dr. Joseph Pastore, former Provost and Lubin Dean, Julie Thompson, former Associate Dean, Dyson College, Lynne Byrne, Associate Dean, Lubin School, and Dr. Joseph Houle, former Dean, Dyson College.		Professor Matthews reviewing ACC 103 problems with one of his students after class in the mid 1980s.
Professor Matthews, an avid reader, enjoying one of the many books in his extensive library.		Professor Matthews teaching reading to second graders in Leonia, New Jersey in the early 1990s.
Professor Matthews enjoying the outdoors at his home in Connecticut in 1997.		Professor Matthews playing classical piano, which he enjoyed throughout his life.
Professor Matthews at Pace in 1998, visiting with former Lubin Dean Arthur Centonze and former Associate Dean Peter Hoefer.		Visiting with Professor Allan Rabinowitz, also a former student.
Professor Matthews with former colleagues at the DPS Dinner honoring Dr. Jack Flaherty in 1999. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Tom Robinson, former Provost, Professor Matthews, Dr. Walter Joyce, former Chair of the Legal Studies & Taxation Department and Associate Dean, Lubin School, and Dr. Tony Bonaparte, former Dean of the Lubin School.		Professor Matthews with Dr. Jack Flaherty, former Dean of the Pace Graduate School, and Lynette Wailoo, Associate Dean, Lubin School.
Professor Matthews and Lynne Byrne, Associate Dean, Lubin School, in 1998 enjoying a hike at Mohonk in upstate NY.		Professor Matthews relaxing at his son's home in California in 2000.