Joseph H. Matluck

Professor Emeritus Joseph H. Matluck, age 98, died in Austin, Texas on June 14, 2016. He was born on November 25, 1917, in Brooklyn NY, to Max and Jennie Matluck. After graduating from Erasmus Hall High School, Joe attended Brooklyn College, on a soccer scholarship, then proudly served, as a U.S. Air Force Captain, in World War II. After the war, Joe earned a Master's Degree at Mexico City College and a Ph.D. in Linguistics and Spanish at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) on the GI Bill. He also studied at the University of Rome, Italy, and taught English as a second language there and in Mexico.

Dr. Matluck's distinguished career continued at Northwestern University in Chicago, then at the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught Spanish and linguistics for over 50 years. Dr. Matluck published nine books and hundreds of articles related to linguistics, Romance languages, teaching, and learning. He presented at national and international conferences and was a visiting professor at several universities. He was a consultant to The Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C. and to major scholarly publications. Dr. Matluck served on prestigious national committees in various capacities, including as Chair. He was involved in many research projects and was most proud of his service as U.S. Representative to the Hispanic Language Project, an international study that spanned thirty years. As part of this project he headed the data collection center at University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Matluck received many honors and awards throughout his career, including recognition from the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. For decades he mentored many students and chaired graduate dissertations. He was deeply touched by the book his students wrote and dedicated to him upon his retirement from full-time teaching in 1987.

Dr. Matluck's civic activities helped shape a growing Austin. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Capitol Broadcasting Company/ KMFA-FM, and on the Rosedale Neighborhood Association Steering Committee. His many interests: travel, music, sports, theater, languages, and reading created a vast circle of friends, colleagues, students, and collaborators. He also nurtured long-term friendships, some sustained from his youth. Besides being an avid sports fan, Joe played soccer, tennis, and won the Texas Amateur Squash Open Championship in 1975. He was equally at home at operas, symphony concerts, live theater, and films. He read and travelled widely, entertained, and savored good meals and conversation.

Joe and his beloved wife, Dr. Betty Mace Matluck, shared professional interests and collaborated on many papers and articles while creating a vibrant and loving home. Nothing gave Joe more pleasure than being with Betty and their family. Joe and Betty shared life as devoted partners. Their relationship radiated intelligence, mutual respect, and deep affection.

Dr.Matluck will be remembered for his brilliant mind, boundless energy, compassion, kindness, loyalty, and humility. He lived fully and generously. His actions were rooted in Jewish values of justice, love of life, and learning. Joe touched so many lives with his warmth, ability to appreciate and celebrate, and his open and accessible mind. He shall be deeply missed. We will take comfort in our cherished memories and are grateful for having known him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, and his first wife, Maria. He is survived by his wife, Betty, step-sons Steve and Ed Mace, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren, three god-children, and his many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2016 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Chapel at 3125 N Lamar Blvd in Austin.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages gifts designated to Hospice Austin's Christopher House made in memory of Joseph Matluck to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759 – hospiceaustin.org.