George E Mattern

George Edward Mattern, 82, of Merritt Island, Fla., passed away peacefully after a six-month battle with lung cancer on January 29, 2015, in Merritt Island. George was born to Frances and Martin Mattern, Sr., on June 17, 1932, at their farm home near Milbank, S.D. to immigrant parents from Germany by way of Odessa, Russia. George grew up on the farm with his mother, father and three brothers Martin, John and Robert. He first attended a one-room country schoolhouse in Roberts County, South Dakota and then attended St. Lawrence Catholic School in Milbank. The family moved to Aberdeen, S.D. in 1943 where George attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and then Aberdeen Central High School where he excelled in basketball and journalism. He graduated in 1950.

All four Mattern brothers eventually served in the military and John Mattern was a POW in WWII. George enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic. He was given an honorable discharge to return home and care for Frances after the death of the elder Martin.

Following his military career, George worked for the Dakota Farmer and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he studied and graduated from Parks College of Aeronautical Technology. He worked as a mechanic for Petroleum Helicopters International, a company that flew workers and equipment to and from oil drilling rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and to install the first electricity poles on the island of Puerto Rico in the late 1950s. He became an active technical aviation specialist in the Caribbean working for clients like Antilles Air boats owned by the late husband of the Irish screen actress Maureen O’Hara whom George befriended. He moved to Puerto Rico where he met and married his wife Daisy Juarbe in 1959. Their children George Brian, Yvette Noemi and Valerie Frances were born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The family moved to the states and lived in Birmingham, Al., and Atlanta, Ga. They moved to Merritt Island, Fla., in 1989.

George worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 33 years where he finally held the position of FAA's District Manager for Flight Standards for the Southern Regional States located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. During his distinguished career with the FAA, George worked diligently to ensure aircraft met the highest safety standards. George’s and the FAA’s inspections of Eastern Airlines led the FAA to fine Eastern Airlines $9.5 million for more than 78,000 safety and record-keeping violations. The fine was the largest ever levied against an airline up to that time in March 1986. The legacy he leaves us with is one that he worked so passionately to create -- safer air travel for everyone.

He retired from the FAA in 2000 and resided full-time in Merritt Island where he led an active life as a dedicated volunteer with the Special Olympics, Cape Canaveral Hospital, Sunflower House and Special Gatherings of Florida. During the summers, he enjoyed visiting his mother, relatives and friends in Aberdeen, especially friends from the class of 1950.

George brought light, humor, joy, strength, compassion and hope into the lives of all who knew him. We will carry his memory and those gifts in our hearts so that we too follow George’s example and share those gifts with everyone we meet.

George is survived by his wife Daisy; son Brian Mattern of Merritt Island, Fla.; daughters Yvette Mattern (husband Georg Polke) of Berlin, Germany and Valerie (Jim) Wyatt of Birmingham, Ala.; grandchildren Sarah Palmer and Maximilian Mattern-Knuesel; brother Robert J. (Linda) Mattern of Aberdeen; sister-in-law Virginia Mattern, Minneapolis, Minn., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Martin Mattern Jr., in 1985 (Mary Lou), John L. Mattern, 1978 and nephews Thomas Mattern, 2002, Joseph Mattern, 1990.

George’s wish was to be cremated. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 8, 2015, at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, Florida. In lieu of flowers, George requested donations be directed to Special Gatherings of Florida c/o Richard Stimpson, P.O. Box 685, Cocoa, Fla. 32923.