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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MATTHEWS, Francis Richard (Dick) - Q.C., C.M. after a long and productive life, Dick passed away peacefully in Calgary on October 2, 2013. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joyce (nee Jarvis) in 2004, by his mother Grace (nee Cathro) in 1951, by his father Charles Curtis Matthews in 1970, by his brother Don in 1996, and by his sister Alison Hankins in 2009. Dick will be greatly missed by his loving children Rick Matthews (Janet) of Canmore, AB, Betsey Ryan of Palgrave, ON, and Michael Matthews (Jane Crow), of Harrogate, B.C. and his grandson Andrew Matthews (Amanda Robertson and son Grayson) of Calgary, AB. Dick attended Western Canada High School in Calgary, graduating in 1938. He spent his summers on the family ranch Highland Stock Farms west of Calgary. While in high school, he became a member of the Calgary Highlanders in 1935, an association he maintained into university under the Canadian Officer Training Corps (COTC) program, obtaining his commission as an officer in 1939. He attended the University of Alberta, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1941 and a Bachelor of Laws, Magna cum Laude in 1948. In 1941 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant. Promoted to Naval Officer, he was assigned to HMS Prince Robert escorting Canadian troops in the Pacific theatre. He was posted to Ottawa in 1942 where he met his future wife, Joyce Jarvis of Toronto, who was a WREN. They were married in Victoria on November 10, 1944. In 1948 Dick joined the firm of Porter, Allen & Millard in Calgary where he became a Partner in 1953. The firm evolved into MacKimmie Matthews where he remained a Partner and Of Counsel until 1999. Enormously respected as a lawyer Dick took several tax cases to the Supreme Court. Dick held many Directorships over his career with such companies as Ranger Oil Limited, Murphy Oil Limited, Pembina Resources Limited, Westburne Industries, PanArctic Oils Ltd. and Husky Oil Limited. Dick was an avid supporter of the arts, his generosity exceeded only by his modesty. He was instrumental in the formation of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in 1955 and has ardently supported it since. He made significant contributions to the Alberta Ballet, the Calgary Opera, Honens International Piano Competition, Banff Centre, Pro Musica, Mount Royal Conservatory of Music, the National Arts Centre, the Rozsa Centre and the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary. He and Joyce received the CPO's "Golden Baton Award" in 2001 for outstanding service to the CPO. He endowed the "F.R. (Dick) Matthews QC Excellence Scholarship in Law" in 2005 and the "Professor of Business Law" in 2007 at the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta. He also supported the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. In 2010 Dick was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his philanthropy. He was also the recipient of the City of Calgary "Generosity of Spirit Award" in 2009. He received the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Those who knew Dick were keenly aware of his enormous ability to enjoy life. His hobbies and interests were many and varied. He loved raising bees and riding his horse as a young boy. Later he took up flying and soaring, photography, skiing and scuba diving. He loved to travel the world with his wife Joyce, and succeeded in visiting all 7 continents. The family would like to thank Dr. Rod Elford and Dr. Brian Huang from Copeman Health Care Centre for their attentive care. The family also thanks Classic Life Care - especially Miriam, Imelda and Hergie. Thanks also to the staff of Southwood Care Centre Hospice where he spent his last days. A Celebration of Dick's Life will be held at Christ Church, (3602 - 8 Street SW, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ships served in: HMCS PRINCE ROBERT - Drafted to Prince Robert 16 Apr 1941 as a Paym-SLt, RCNVR
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