Matthew Roger Thiede

Matt was a highly energetic young boy with a non-stop attitude. He loved all sports and competitively participated in many different ones. He was on the varsity baseball team at Corona del Mar High School which won CIF Division IV his senior year. The game was played at the Angel Stadium and his team sat in the Angels dugout. After High School, Matt enrolled at the University of Arizona. During the summer between his freshman and sophomore year he sustained a spinal cord injury while diving into the ocean. For the next 20 years Matt worked at reclaiming his life. He drove to rehabilitation (Project Walk) 3-5 days a week for 10 years trying to get the nerves to reconnect so he could walk. Unfortunately that didn't happen. He also went back to college and got his AA degree from Orange Coast College and his Bachelors degree from Cal State Long Beach. Matt was a very kind, passionate, and caring man who loved his friends and family. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Matthew's honor to Canine Companions for Independence.