Donald Lester Matchett

Donald Lester Matchett (Don), age 90, died peacefully at home on December 2, 2020 in Centennial, CO. He braved pancreatic cancer in the final two years of his otherwise healthy and active life. Don was a man of great personal integrity, and he was loved for his kindness, wisdom, and commitment to family.

Born on September 23, 1930, Don was the only son of Lester Matchett and Esther (Wiley) Matchett of Durham, Maine, with ancestry dating to the American Revolution. He grew up during the Depression, working on the family farm with his father, who he deeply admired. He had rigorous Bible training at The Kingdom of God church and graduated from Brunswick High School. The habits, values, and interests that Don formed in his youth had lasting impact, and he remained an avid reader, expert gardener, ardent bird watcher, and a skilled sailor with a profound connection to the sea.

Don was a veteran of the United States Navy (’51-’55), serving in meteorology as an Aerographer’s Mate. He was an Alumni of the Colorado School of Mines (’59), majoring in Geological Engineering. While at Mines, Don’s lifelong love for Colorado and the Rockies was born. Hiking and camping were among his favorite things to do, and an appreciation of nature was central to his being.

Don’s early career as a Civil Engineer included six years with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation designing systems for flood control, irrigation, water purification, and numerous small hydroelectric projects throughout the West. In 1968, he joined Stone & Webster Engineering in Boston and moved with his family to Hanover, MA. He became the Assistant Chief of Environmental Engineering and advanced the design of hydrothermal cooling systems. Don returned to Colorado in 1974, when S&W founded its Denver office and selected him as Manager of its Environmental Engineering Division – a position he held until his retirement in 1993. He attained an MBA from the University of Denver in 1978. A favorite project of his career was in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska where he assessed potential impacts of proposed development in the Iliamna water basin.

Don was without pretense and rarely spoke of his achievements. Rather, he was a reserved man who considered the effect of his actions and lived in service to others. He valued honesty and a job well done. He was intelligent, professional, and trustworthy. His admirable example will resonate in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. Don Matchett was deeply loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Christine Fleming Matchett, and together they formed a loving home for their combined family of six children. Don and Chris enjoyed travel and had many adventures together throughout North America and Europe, often with family and dear friends.

Don was a kind and supportive stepfather to Chris’s three children, Bill Fleming (wife, Audra), Amy Mattson (husband, Mike), and Suzy Pendergraft (husband, Jeff). The six grandchildren – Blake, Corey, Lexi, Declan, Joshua, and Brogan – each were a source of pride and joy for Don. He also formed a lasting bond with Andrew Rork through the Big Brother program.

Don was predeceased by his devoted first wife of 20 years, Barbara Ann (Brown) Matchett in 2002, and he endured the passing of their eldest daughter, Linda (Matchett) Eastman in 2006. He is survived by his loving son, Thomas Donald Matchett, and his daughter, Donna Jean Matchett, who he always admired and cherished.

Memorial Services for Don will be on December 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, located at 3959 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO, and may be viewed at https://mpbdenver.org/live. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Food Bank of the Rockies.