What a shock to get this very very sad notice, I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends!

I met Matt almost 30 years ago when he was my high school teacher while I was an exchange student from Germany, staying in Lake County from 90-91.

And I really liked him immediately when we first met and signed up for all his classes. So we had a lot of fun together every day in humanities, French, teachers' aid and GERMAN :-). And I got to know and love him as a very smart, open-minded, humorous, ironic and self-critical ("Just call me Mr. Fatman") person, a wonderful teacher and a great guy to have a beer and a smart conversation with. Unfortunately no beer then, but we became Facebook-friends and we met again a few times over the last decades when I was visiting my American host family. And I was expecting to see him again next time I come, so it really makes me very sad to know that he will no longer be there to have great fun and smart discussions with. He was only 11 years older than me, I can't believe that he had to go so soon and can't even imagine what great gap he leaves behind for those who enjoyed his company every day.

So again I am sending my condolences to all of his family and friends, Matt will be remembered by generations of students like me that he inspired by being the great person and teacher he was.

Ein Prost auf Dich und gute Reise, lieber Matt, ich werde Dich nie vergessen.

Dein Timo