Duane J. Matterson

Duane Jardine Matterson died at his Pacific Grove home on April 20, 2016 after a short period of declining health. An only child, he was born May 28, 1919 in Seattle, Washington to Hazel Jardine and Roy C. Matterson. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where his father worked for the U.S. Immigration Service. At the age of 10, he and his family moved back to Seattle. Duane graduated from the University of Washington in 1942. He entered the United States Army and served in the South Pacific and the Philippine Islands during World War II as a 1st Lieutenant.

When the war ended he began studying ceramic art at California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland. He later attended Alfred University in New York where he earned a master’s degree in ceramic arts. He married Joan Newman of Carmel and in 1948 they moved to Monterey, joining what might now be referred to as a bohemian community of free spirits on Huckleberry Hill. (Upper New Monterey) He and Joan founded the Huckleberry Hill Pottery, later renamed the Matterson Family Pottery. He continued to make stoneware pottery throughout his life until back problems interfered.

Duane became a teacher in 1958, teaching elementary grades first in Corral de Tierra and later in Marina and Monterey schools. Upon retirement, he plunged enthusiastically into a variety of volunteer activities. An original docent at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, he received his 30-year pin in 2014. He worked on numerous trail building and service trips for the Sierra Club, the Forest Service and Rails to Trails; in particular, the Iron Goat Trail on the site of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line over Steven’s Pass in Northern Washington.

In the 1980’s Duane worked with the Monterey History and Art Association restoring the original Monterey angels created by Erica Franke. He fell in love with them and with Franke’s permission created about 50 of his own. He was a volunteer for the Pacific Grove Library, Friends of the Monarchs, the Bach Festival and other similar groups. The Gentrain Program at Monterey Peninsula College was a large part of his life in later years.

In 1976 he married Betty Sawyer and together they enjoyed numerous travels around the world. Duane loved life and lived it with gusto. He was an adventurous and creative cook, a prolific reader, an unconventional gardener and an avid trombone player. He liked to write, especially letters to friends and usually with a clipping he thought would be enjoyed.

Duane was predeceased by his wife, Joan, the mother of his children, and a son, Thomas. He is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Sarah (Michael Lojkovic), sons Daniel (Sharon Colton), Seth and Benjamin (Karene); stepsons Laurence Sawyer (Phyllis) and Eric Sawyer (Marit); grandsons Ken, Chase and Russell Matterson and Forrest and Wesley Sawyer.

The family gives profound thanks to Dr. Richard King for his attentive care during the past 35 years.

Donations in Duane’s memory may be given to: The Gentrain Society Scholarship Fund, Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street, Monterey 93940. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, 316 North Main Street, Suite 100, Salinas, 93901. Earth Justice, 426 17th Street. 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula located at 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel.