Obituary of Rev. Dr. Wallace Matsen

Asheville, NC - The Reverend Dr. Wallace Matsen, 80, died on Saturday, November 20, 2010 after a long illness. He was born in Bridgeport CT on June 28, 1930. Dr. Matsen received a Bachelor Degree from Nyack College, Nyack, NY. He received a Master of Divinity from Hartford Seminary and was the first recipient of the Doctoral Degree conferred by Hartford Seminary, Hartford CT. He would later become Vice President of Hartford Seminary and would serve in that role for 3 years. Dr. Matsen began his ministry in Bennington, VT and then in Norwich, CT with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He served with the UCC as Senior Minister at Old Stone Church, in East Haven, CT for 11 years and North Congregational Church in Woodbury, CT. for 17 years. After retirement he was the Interim Minister at the United Congregational Church of Tryon, North Carolina and taught at the Blue Ridge Community College, Hendersonville, NC. Dr. Matsen taught Business Psychology at the University of CT, Western Campus and was an accomplished writer. He wrote an extensive collection of essays called Pulpit, Pen and Parish and published a book entitled "Old is Not a Dirty Word." He continued his writing career on the internet where he was a serial blogger on a multitude of topics and sites. Dr. Matsen embraced technology and was an early adapter of all technical gadgets, especially all products from Apple. Dr. Matsen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lorene, one son and two daughters and their spouses; Donald and Kimberly Matsen, Elysa and Robert Leonard and Dr. Krista Matsen and Robert Paterson. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Keri, Mhatt, Dylan, Samantha, Erin, Meghan, Robert, Quentin and Thatcher. He was a caring man who deeply and profoundly loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren and they in turn loved him. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Alexandra, Father, Wallace and sister, Sandra Matsen Wentworth. A memorial service in celebration of his rich life will be held at North Congregational Church in Woodbury, CT on December 4, 2010 at 2pm. Please make donations to ST. Jude Cancer Research Hospital for Children in lieu of flowers. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com