Norman DeWolfe Mattson

Skip was born January 11, 1931, in Boston to Emily Bown Mattson and Wm. Norman Mattson. Skip and his younger sister, Pat, grew up in Newton and Braintree, Massachusetts, with their mother and maternal grandparents. He graduated from high school in 1949, where he made a lifelong friend, Fred Gibb, who later became his brother-in-law. Skip attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania on scholarship, graduating in 1953. While working in the college cafeteria, he made friends by saving and serving extra desserts to a select few.

After college, Skip enlisted as an officer in the Navy. Including active and reserve duty, his navy career spanned over 14 years. He met his wife, Olivia, on a blind date while he was on duty in Texas. They were married three months later on June 2, 1956.

After marrying, Skip and Olivia settled in Braintree, where they had their first two daughters. A job opportunity brought the family west to Sunnyvale, California, in 1963. Skip was a personnel manager at Fairchild Semiconductor and continued to serve in the Navy Reserve. A third daughter arrived a month after the move.

In 1969, Skip accepted a transfer to the Hong Kong office of Fairchild. Skip and Olivia took full advantage of their new location, taking their children to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Tahiti and Fiji, and creating a lifelong love of travel in all.

In 1972, the family moved back to California, where Skip joined Syntex Pharmaceuticals as a human resources executive, He later became vice president of human resources for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals in Seattle, and ultimately moved with the company to Maryland, where he finally retired.

In 1995, Skip and Olivia moved to Tucson to begin their “official retirement.” There, he volunteered with their church and led the committee to build a new facility. Six years later, they returned to Texas, moving to Colleyville to be closer to two daughters and their families. In Colleyville, Skip served as a board member of their homeowners' and church boards, where his expertise and professionalism were always appreciated and well-received. Since he loved driving, he also kept busy chauffeuring grandchildren to school events and activities. He patiently taught two granddaughters to drive.

Skip passed on his love of the ocean to his family. In 1998, He and Olivia took the entire crew (daughters, spouses, grandchildren) on an Alaskan cruise, which earned him the title “Captain Papa.” The Alaskan family cruise was followed by a Disney Cruise, a British Isles cruise, another Alaskan cruise, and a trip to Turks and Caicos. Over the years, Skip and Olivia also travelled to many exotic locales on their own and with friends.

Skip was an amazing provider and a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He took great pleasure in the accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren, and was always generous and willing to help. He is, and will continue to be, missed.

Skip is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Olivia June Mattson, and his brother-in-law, Fred Gibb. Skip is survived by his daughters: Merrilee Kuylen, Melanie (Doug) Millard, and Melinda (Craig) Miers; his grandchildren: Merrissa Kuylen, Jake Kuylen, Amanda Millard, Austin Millard, Sierra Miers and Dayton Miers; and his sister, Patricia Gibb.

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Norman D. "Skip" Mattson, 86, was called home by his Lord and Savior on September 13, 2017.

A graveside memorial service will be held October 14, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, Colleyville, Texas, in the Whispering Waters Memorial Garden.

Skip was born January 11, 1931, in Boston to Emily Bown Mattson and Wm. Norman Mattson. Skip and his younger sister, Pat, grew up in Newton and Braintree, Massachusetts, with their mother and maternal grandparents. He graduated from high school in 1949, where he made a lifelong friend, Fred Gibb, who later became his brother-in-law. Skip attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania on scholarship, graduating in 1953. While working in the college cafeteria, he made friends by saving and serving extra desserts to a select few.

After college, Skip enlisted as an officer in the Navy. Including active and reserve duty, his navy career spanned over 14 years. He met his wife, Olivia, on a blind date while he was on duty in Texas. They were married three months later on June 2, 1956.

After marrying, Skip and Olivia settled in Braintree, where they had their first two daughters. A job opportunity brought the family west to Sunnyvale, California, in 1963. Skip was a personnel manager at Fairchild Semiconductor and continued to serve in the Navy Reserve. A third daughter arrived a month after the move.

In 1969, Skip accepted a transfer to the Hong Kong office of Fairchild. Skip and Olivia took full advantage of their new location, taking their children to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Tahiti and Fiji, and creating a lifelong love of travel in all.

In 1972, the family moved back to California, where Skip joined Syntex Pharmaceuticals as a human resources executive, He later became vice president of human resources for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals in Seattle, and ultimately moved with the company to Maryland, where he finally retired.

In 1995, Skip and Olivia moved to Tucson to begin their “official retirement.” There, he volunteered with their church and led the committee to build a new facility. Six years later, they returned to Texas, moving to Colleyville to be closer to two daughters and their families. In Colleyville, Skip served as a board member of their homeowners' and church boards, where his expertise and professionalism were always appreciated and well-received. Since he loved driving, he also kept busy chauffeuring grandchildren to school events and activities. He patiently taught two granddaughters to drive.

Skip passed on his love of the ocean to his family. In 1998, He and Olivia took the entire crew (daughters, spouses, grandchildren) on an Alaskan cruise, which earned him the title “Captain Papa.” The Alaskan family cruise was followed by a Disney Cruise, a British Isles cruise, another Alaskan cruise, and a trip to Turks and Caicos. Over the years, Skip and Olivia also travelled to many exotic locales on their own and with friends.

Skip was an amazing provider and a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He took great pleasure in the accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren, and was always generous and willing to help. He is, and will continue to be, missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts be made to Haverford College's Scholarship Fund at 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA 19041.

Skip is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Olivia June Mattson, and his brother-in-law, Fred Gibb. Skip is survived by his daughters: Merrilee Kuylen, Melanie (Doug) Millard, and Melinda (Craig) Miers; his grandchildren: Merrissa Kuylen, Jake Kuylen, Amanda Millard, Austin Millard, Sierra Miers and Dayton Miers; and his sister, Patricia Gibb.