Grafton, N.H. —
Lew was dearly loved by his wife, Christine; sons, Galen and Aaron Matson; two grandchildren; brother, Ernest Matson, sister, Barbara McSweeney, sister, Carole Ross, brother, Robert Matson and brother, Peter Matson.
He was known for his humor, intellect, athletic abilities including his love of the ocean and surfing. Lew spent most of his life, 24 years, in military service. Retirement was spent teaching and building.
Lew was born in Port Chester, N.Y., in 1953. He graduated from Weston High School, Weston, Conn., where he was the president of the first graduating class of 1971. He studied geology at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., Textual Criticism at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in S. Hamilton, Mass. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in religion at Southern California College and a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Penn State. Lew was a career military man. He retired from the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office at U.S. Central Command as a Sergeant Major. He is a veteran of the Iraq war and the invasion of Panama. His prior posts include the 4th Infantry Division in Ft. Hood, Texas, the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt, 5th Signal Command in Worms, Germany, and 1st Special Forces Command in Ft. Bragg, N.C. He was honored with the Legion of Merit medal for exceptional service and commitment to the United States. Lewis was a patriot and carried on his duty to the United States after retiring from the Army by teaching Earth and Space Science to young Americans.
in 2008, Lewis moved to New Hampshire from Florida. He built a beautiful home totally on his own in Grafton. He taught high school science at Cardigan Mountain School, Plymouth Regional High School, Waterville Valley Academy and TEAM Charter School in Penacook.
Lew had an abiding love of science, an enduring Christian faith, an uncanny sense of humor, a poise and confidence that drew friends to him, an easy laugh and broad scope of knowledge that kept them in conversation for hours. He is much loved and greatly missed.