Part 2 -  I don’t know how Matt took that discouragement, but I do know that he went on to a double major at Penn State University in Mathematics and German and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He eventually blended his interest in radio broadcasting and his Christian faith by becoming the overnight announcer on Baltimore’s Christian radio station, WRBS, for several years. Admittedly, he did not have the sonorous, baritone voice ideal for radio broadcasting, but his diction was perfect. I think that the last time I saw Matt was in the late 1970s while he was working at WRBS. We went out for a traditional Maryland dinner of crabs and beer near the home of my wife’s family in Severna Park, MD and I dropped him off at the WRBS studios in time for his broadcast. We lost touch over the years because I always assumed that we would meet up again at a reunion of sorts. Perhaps in the next life… Rest in peace, brother. 

Part 1 - Today (6/23/2023) would have been Matt’s 69th birthday. I only recently learned of his passing when I saw his high school yearbook photograph on an “In Memoriam” table for our classmates who had passed. Others who posted to this site knew Matt in his later years or through his amateur radio experiences. I would others who knew Matt to know more about this kind and gentle person. There is no doubt that Matt was well-rounded and brilliant. Matt and I and two of our friends fantasized about operating our own rock and roll AM radio station when we grew up. (Remember, this was the 1960’s.) His mother, Helen, took us into New York City to visit the studios of WABC while disc jockey Ron Lundy was on the air. We were awestruck. Later, Matt and I took an FCC Engineers’ exam. (Of the two of us, only Matt passed.) He was interested in amateur radio as early as high school, earning his novice license and rapidly advancing to his general license where his call sign was WA2TIM. I printed his earliest QSL cards in my graphic arts class. Matt excelled in every academic endeavor he attempted. He was clearly the most gifted member of our math and German classes. His German was so strong, that he was an exchange student to Germany for half a year of high school. Matt was also very strong in his Christian faith and was an active member in the Dutch Reformed Church of Kinnelon, NJ. He was also a member of their Boy Scout troop and Matt advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout. Matt and his date, Norma, were  elected “King and Queen” of our High School Prom in 1972. A few weeks after that, Matt gave the valedictorian speech at our high school graduation. Because of his strong faith, Matt often considered going into the ministry after university. I was a little surprised to hear that his mother discouraged that ambition, supposedly because she knew that Matt’s intellectual abilities were beyond that required of a minister. (to be continued)

Today is the day I expected this day to come and so it has. This is just like everyone else a hard a day for me by realizing the fact where although I know you’re not on this earth anymore I still think of you. As true as it is that Matt passed away last year at the hospital at 7:35 PM EDT and yes you my friend, I’ll always remember all those wonderful phone call conversations you Matt and I had over the telephone together. I think about you often my friend Matt and not a day goes by where I don’t miss you. It’s been hard so hard I will tell you last year as well your passing was just as difficult for me as was my old elementary school teacher who’s first name was Leslie did back in california passed away six days on March 26, 2020. You were a good friend and I always enjoyed your conversations. Rest in peace. Miss you always

Very sorry to hear about Matt’s passing. He was my ‘big brother ‘ in Baltimore Md in the early eighties. We kept in touch through the years.  Matt attended my graduations, family dinner’s, holiday parties, and social events.  Matt had a huge heart and a great loving soul. I want to thank Matt for who I’m today. We will see each other one day my friend.

I knew Matt for many years through the Second Region traffic net, and we exchanged emails occasionally.  I didn't know he had been ill, and his passing is a nasty shock.  My deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

I "met"  Matthew online nearly two decades ago on the old Baltimore Sun Sunspot Message Board.  Although we had our differences, he was always a gentleman and the voice of reason on the often polarized Sunspot message board.  He continued this role on the new Sunspot Proboards reunion site as well. Over the years he organized numerous Sunspot member gatherings but I never attended such an event until last Spring.  It was a privilege to actually meet him in person before he shuffled off his mortal coil. 

Perhaps his passing has left the world a more cynical, less compassionate place, for the time being.  But doubtless Matthew during his earthly life sowed seeds which will in time yield a harvest of benevolence which will in some manner compensate for his loss.

My sincerest condolences to his family and close friends.

I met Matt at the Holiday City Diner during a breakfast meet in December of 2018 prior to obtaining my Technician License. He was a very approchable and knowlegeable with respect to the ham radio craft. I participated in quite a few Net Control call-ins where Matt served as the Wednesday 10pm host. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, my friend -- Anthony KD2RBZ.


Matt De Rouville I believe you can hear me, even though you’re not on this earth anymore. Everyone else who’s read this please keep in mind this was not easy for me to write. Though this was difficult, I did however manage to complete this part somehow. By using the careful timing I needed in order for me to use proper thought process and consideration is what it took for me to complete this. Despite all this, I knew very well I had to get this done.

 It was an honor to get to know you since March 2017. What unexpectedly lead to his death on April 1st 2020 was the deadly COVID-19. Matt my friend your death is a tragedy although somewhat unexpected. We’ve corresponded with each other in past times from March 2017, going forward until the very end of March 2020. We began communicating on the Internet in March 2017. In some strange way we met on the website DISQUIS eventually becoming friends and pen pals. During late summer of 2018 around August and September we switched to the Baltimore Sun. This website was more secure with private communication through messaging. After the beginning of the new year and month of January 2019 began, around the middle of January but much before the beginning of February we started communicating by both talking on the telephone and texting quite often until the very end of March 2020.  We communicated with each other presently before you unexpected passed away on April 1, 2020. Although there is nothing that can balance the loss of you my friend, I still do have every intent to honor our wonderful times you and I had talking on the phone. As you and I were literally like was said about how we were both each other’s very first pen pal friend, It makes me so sad to lose you. You were a great guy and you always will be. I really do like you and you will be missed always. I know we were eventually going to see each other in person but the coronavirus made it unsafe to travel. Rest in peace my friend. May God rest your soul.

Although I only knew Matt for the last 6 months, he was a great friend and mentor to both myself and many others on the air.  Thanks for all you did, Matt; you will be missed.  73, my friend.

Matt you will
Be truly missed, rest in peace my friend

I knew Matt only through social media and met him a few times. He was always a wonderful person and great to speak with. He will be missed greatly! 

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. IT WAS  ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH  YOU ON THE AIR.  N2WFW

Matt, although we only chatted on the JSARS repeater and met just once, I will truly miss you.  You were a gentlemen and a good soul.  May Almighty God grant you peace, salvation and everlasting life.

73 de Keith. KC2JBZ 

I've "known" Matt for 20 years through social media and have met him twice in person. He was a man of great patience and grace. I am better for having known him. Rest in peace my friend. 

Thank you for your friendship! 
R.I.P. My Friend 

May you Rest In Peace.  The radio club will not be the same without you.

Patti & Bill Wolfe

My deepest sympathy and condolences to Matt's family.
May he have eternal rest in our Lord's Kingdom!!
Our morning chats are  misssed already. 73 my friend.
KD2PGP to K3MR R.I.P

Matt, will always remember you as kind and knowledgeable. 73, my friend.

Matt Radio will not be the same with out you


OH what a shock! I never met Matt in person but exchanged many pleasant and civil words with him over social media in the early days. A big regret I never met him in person, I feel I really missed something special.  RIP my friend. 

Aimee

Matt was a long time friend thru social media. He was an even-handed moderator,  a wise fellow poster on our forums and a really good guy. 
His presence will be missed. 
My condolences to his family. 
Rest in Peace Matt

Great guy,  Matt.  I sure hope there's a forever bicycle waiting for him.

I only knew Matt through the social media. But over 13+ years I came to know him as a very balanced and caring person, a true gentleman. I wish that I'd have had the opportunity to meet him in person, I will miss him.  Rest in Peace Matt, you will be remembered kindly by all.

Brian.

Matt was always the voice of reason.  He was kind and always put others before himself.  Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed.

Matt was a good person and his spirit will live on.  May he rest in peace.

Matt an I worked  together for 20 years at RPC.  We ate lunch together  daily.   We took vacations  to Ocean City, MD annually for years. I will miss him greatly.   He was my friend.

OBITUARIO

Matthew M. De Rouville

23 junio, 1954 – 1 abril, 2020

Quinn Hopping Funeral Home

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios