Obituary of Eric Winston Mathews

Eric was born on January 30, 1969, and passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019. He was a resident of Corvallis, Oregon, at the time of his death. He left behind his father Robert A. “Matt” Mathews and stepmother, Susan J. Christie of Corvallis, Oregon, his sister, Kara Robbins of Imperial Beach, California, and his stepsister, Susana Christie of Tierra Santa, California. Eric spent most of his childhood and early teenage years in the San Diego, California, area. He came to live with his father and stepmother when they married in 1983 and moved to Oregon with them in the winter of 1987. He continued his education in Oregon and was a graduate of the Job Corps. Eric was musically talented, read widely about a variety of subjects, enjoyed history, and loved discussing and debating politics with anyone he could persuade to engage in discussion. He worked well with his hands as a carpenter, and was a skilled auto mechanic. He enjoyed cooking and liked watching the professional chef shows on television. He once treated his parents to his own special recipe for crab-stuffed portobello mushrooms. His automotive focus was on Chrysler Corporation cars of all persuasions, and he owned several over the years. He had a huge collection of Mopar magazines that he treasured. Most of Eric’s employment during his life in Oregon was with the City of Corvallis in their Public Works Department. He spent 14 years there in the Utilities Division working in Wastewater Services, and he was proud of being a year-round bicycle commuter, in all kinds of weather. He had excellent rapport with the public, and received a commendation for assisting a stranded motorist on a rural highway. His closest family tie was with his paternal grandmother, Mary B. Mathews. They had a special bond that began in his early years, and extended until her death in 2005. It was at about that time that alcohol began to exert a negative influence on him, leading to a downward spiral that ended in his death from liver disease. Those who knew Eric will remember fondly how much he enjoyed the many years of family gatherings around the holidays and the camping trips he took with his friends in the Oregon Coast Range. His family and friends will always remember Eric as generous, intelligent, curious, and creative. We will hold onto the fun and positive times. We are grateful for the wonderful care he received at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis and the peaceful ending to his life on earth. It is good to know that suffering is over and he is now free of pain and illness and is at peace.