obert “Bob” Gordon Matheson was born on May 28, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to Clyde and Ruth Matheson. Bob passed away on November 17, 2016 at Hospice Woodside in Pinellas Park, Florida surrounded by his loving family. He lived with his wife of 66 years, Catherine (Cunningham) Matheson, in Melbourne Florida until he recently moved to the Pinecrest Assisted Living Facility in Largo after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers.
Family
Bob Matheson is survived by his loving wife Catherine. They married 66 years ago in Mississippi. Together they have a daughter Debbie (Dan) Ferrazza of Odessa, Florida; son Michael Matheson of Atlanta, GA; son Mark Matheson of San Diego, California and son Matthew who passed away in 1993 and is buried at Florida National Cemtery.
Military History
Private Bob Matheson joined the United States Army on August 28, 1947 in Williams Field, Arizona at the age of 18. He entered Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia where her earned his Parachute and Glider Badge and served with Charlie Company 508th Airborne Infantry Regiment whose motto was, “Fury from the Sky.” By February 20, 1951 Bob was promoted to Sergeant First Class.
Bob re-enlisted in 1953, then a Master Sergeant, and entered into Infantry Officer Candidate School from June 1955 to December 1955 where he received the Robert P. Patterson Memorial Award for being the most outstanding graduate. For the next 20 years of his military career Bob would rise through the officer ranks and complete numerous combat missions over Vietnam and Korea as an Aviator. Lietenant Colonel Matheson completed training at the United States Army Aviation School in Flight Training, Officer Rotary Wing Qualification Course and the United States Army Command General Staff Command. The latter was an Army leadership training school for infantry that graduated alumni such as General MacArthur, General Patton, and General Eisenhower.
Military Awards
LTC Matheson officially retired from the Army on June 30, 1978 after 30 years of service. At the time of his retirement LTC Matheson was eligible to wear the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, thirteen Air Medals with “V” to denote Valor, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Meritorious Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm as well as his Parachute and Glider Badge on his uniform.
Memorial Service and Honors
A military funeral to honor the life of LTC Robert Gordon Matheson is scheduled for Monday, November 21, 2016 at 12:30 pm at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Guests planning on attending the graveside service should plan on arriving at 12:00 pm. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army. The Patriot Guard Riders will also be in attendance as invited guests by the family.
Special Acknowledgements
The Matheson family would like to thank the entire staff at Suncoast Hospice Mid Pinellas Care Center for the outstanding care that was provided to Bob and the family during his final days. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
I was always impressed with how my uncle carried himself as an Army officer. I remember his giving me a tour of the pentagon where he was stationed as an intelligence officer. He and my aunt hosted me and enabled me to travel in Europe. I remember being at their home when he was leaving for Vietnam. So many fond memories. He was a remarkable man.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I have many memories of camping at Wind Creek with Uncle Bob, Aunt Catherine, Uncle Henry and Aunt Mary Ruth.
Your’s is the inlntligeet approach to this issue.