09/29/2023
Robert Dean Matney, 83, of Southington, beloved husband of Diane (Hawkins) Matney, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023, at Midstate Medical Center.
Born in Albia, IA to Kenneth and Evelyn (Billings) Matney in March 19. 1940, Bob grew up in Knoxville, Iowa.
On Oct 22, ,1966, Bob married Diane, the love of his life, and in 1979, they moved to Connecticut with their family.
Bob was a resident of New Britain and Bristol before moving to Southington in 2020.
Bob began his career as a firefighter in Des Moines, Iowa, before receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Northeast Missouri State University as well as a Specialist’s Degree in Educational Administration from Drake University.
He was a school psychologist before becoming a Superintendent of Public Schools in Iowa. He then made a major life decision to become a Christian school administrator, which he considered a wonderful privilege and ministry.
After a number of years as an administrator of Christian schools in Iowa and Connecticut, Bob then became an administrator of other schools before finishing his career as a State Principal for the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
Bob was a long-time faithful member of Central Baptist Church in Southington where he held positions as a Deacon as well as a Sunday School Teacher. Bob was also an avid athlete and runner who ran the Boston Marathon twice.
Bob was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His impact on his family is immeasurable. One of his favorite Bible verses was III John 1:4. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
He influenced countless young people as a dedicated and caring educator. Well-known for his encouraging nature, Bob was a constant source of encouragement to all with whom he came in contact. The foundation of his life was his steadfast faith.
He continually would tell people about his friend, Jesus Christ, and how they could have a personal relationship with Him by placing their faith in Him. His family finds great joy and comfort in knowing his home is now with his Savior in heaven, and they are extremely grateful for his legacy.
Besides his wife Diane, Bob is survived by two sons, Scott Matney and his wife Sarah of Southington, and Benjamin Matney and his wife Caroline of Daphne, AL; two daughters, Sarah Foster and her husband Don of Bristol, and Kathleen Mickus and her husband Brian of Carlsbad, CA; and his fourteen grandchildren, Jackson Matney, Mackenzie Matney, Abigail Matney, Kali Matney, Noah Foster, Tyler Foster, Lilah Foster, Sloane Mickus, Colton Foster, Brie Mickus, Luke Foster, Brock Mickus, Jude Mickus, and Grant Mickus; and two sisters, Phyllis Woods of Emporia, Kansas and Sharon Eby of Denver, Colorado.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 6th at Central Baptist Church, 1505 West Street in Southington, and will also be livestreamed at https://centralbaptistchurch.net/live-streaming/ and https://www.youtube.com/@centralbaptistchurchct4664.
Calling hours will be immediately before the service at 1:00 p.m. at Central Baptist. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Peacedale Cemetery in Bristol.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Christian Academy, 1505 West Street, Southington, CT 06489 or https://centralbaptistchurch.net/. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please share a memory or note of sympathy at carlsonfuneralhome.com