Steven R. Mattson
Died Oct. 28, 2015
NORTHPORT - Steven R. Mattson, 62, a longtime
resident of Northport, passed away on Oct. 28, 2015, at Munson Medical Center
following a chronic illness.
Steve was born on Nov. 22, 1952, in Detroit, the
son of Theodore and Lilian (Perkins) Mattson and grew up in Pleasant Ridge. He was preceded in death by his parents and
brother, James A. Mattson.
Steve graduated from Ferndale High School and
obtained his first undergraduate degree at Oakland University. Then at Michigan State University (MSU), he
earned another BS of Science in Geology in 1977, a MS of Science in Geology in
1981, and a PhD in Geology 1984, after traveling to Iceland to complete his Dissertation,
“Magma Mixing in Iceland.”
After a short time in
academia, he moved to Las Vegas where he worked on the Yucca Mountain nuclear
repository project. He was a technical
reviewer for the geological studies there and became an expert in geological
risk assessment.
Steve moved to
Northport, continuing to work as a consultant and senior geologist/geochemist for
the Yucca Mountain project. He worked in
the community as a member of the Northport Village Council (the sewer project);
he raised funds for the Northport 4th of July fireworks for many years; and he
organized the curling event in the Annual Northport Winter Carnival.
Steve is survived by his sister, Mila (Warren)
Meeks of Columbia MD; his brother, John (Janet) Mattson M.D. of Moraga CA;
nephews Derek Meeks (Karen Edwards) of Columbia MD, Trevor (Kris Friesen) of
Denver CO, Colin (Diane Hamilton) Meeks of Berkshire NY, Scott Mattson of Lisle
IL; niece Jessica (Chris Jordan) of Danville, CA; grand-nieces and
grand-nephews, Lily, Ellie, Hilina, Corallus, Xander, Brian, Katie; cousin
Douglas (Sharon) Finton of Oakland/Northport.
Steve, known as "Doc," will be missed by
his family and many friends in Northport and by others whose lives he
touched. He will especially be missed by
his Goddaughter, Amber Crawford of Las Vegas NV.
A Celebration of Steve’s life/open house will be
held on Saturday Nov. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Knot in Omena.
Memorials may be directed to the Leelanau
Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.
The family requests that any condolences or
correspondence be sent to P.O. Box 415, Northport, MI 49670.
Please share memories with Steve’s family below:
When the Geology Library moved to the new space in the basement of Nat Sci, Sue Jones, later my wife, decided to have a bake sale to raise money to purchase a carpet for the library. The Kellog Center was putting in new carpets and an old one could be purchased from them. She also wanted to make a few other aesthetic improvements to the Library. She decided that a good way to raise money would be through a bake sale. She asked people to bring in things that could be sold. The day of the sale, almost no one brought in things to sell. It was just a few items. Not much money was raised. A number of people in the department were dismayed and asked her to do it again the next day and they would bring in things to sell. The next day the outpouring of goodies was overwhelming. A lot of people brought in wonderful treats. Steve (known in the Geology Department as Mongo) was no exception. He brought in a dozen brownies, labeled as "Mongo's Coconut Brownies". He said that unlike most of the items that were for sale at 25 cents, we were to sell these for 45 cents and "only" to people that he had approved as purchasers. A number of people who were "approved" came to purchase "coconut" brownies right away. Dean Hoffman saw the sale going on and wanted to make a purchase. He looked at the table and by my guess, decided that as Dean, he should purchase the most expensive item on the table. He wanted to purchase the 45 cent brownies. Sue and I had to talk him out of buying these. We finally told the Dean that these had been promised to other people by the guy who made them and that we could not sell them to him. I think the Dean finally figured it out and bought something else. I don't remember anything being left for sale at the end of the day. It was very successful. Sue bought a carpet for the library and some plants for decoration, with all the money that was raised.
ReplyDeleteFriend of mine
ReplyDeleteHas gone away
Like a light from yesterday
Lost in space
Somewhere they say
This friend of mine
He could sing
Like a child
A mother's dream
So sweet and mild
Or big and mean
Loud and wild
This friend of mine
His voice is still
Like the night
Rustling winds
Of angel's flight
Take him home
To the light
This friend of mine
This friend of mine
- John Hiatt
I met Steve in 1976 rock climbing while attending Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. We met through Professor Paul Doherty a physics professor fresh out of MIT. Paul was a wonderful mentor and has an infectious love of teaching and learning. Paul is now at the Exploratorium Teacher Institute which was founded by Frank Oppenheimer. Checkout Paul's website and get a glimpse of a man who took an early interest in Steve and encouraged him to seek higher academics. I was a graduate student in the Physics Department. Paul and I became friends and he invited me to go camping and climbing with him in Ohio. He also invited Steve, who I think was one of his Geology class students. Its odd, but I don't recall the exact moment of meeting Steve. What I do recall is wondering who is this man dressed like he belongs to a motor cycle gang. I was intrigued by his persona. What I do recall is sitting around a campfire exchanging views on life and dreams. It quickly became apparent that Steve was a bright, kind and gentle soul and that Paul was mentoring him to continue on with academics and fulfill his potential. I latter saw Steve mentor many students who where struggling with where they belonged in the big picture. Steve and I only saw each other on these climbing trips, but we became friends. The next year I transferred to MSU to study Geophysics. To my surprise Steve ended up at MSU a few semesters latter. He quickly became friends with many of the students and eventually became a figure head of the department. In his quite way he mentored many undergraduate students. Steve always looked the tuff guy and was tuff when called upon, but to me he was a gentle soul. He had a kind heart. I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteI tried putting in another comment about Steve Mattson, and for some reason it didn't work again. Steve got the nickname, Mongo, in the Geology Department at MSU after the movie Blazing Saddles came out. One day, between classes, Steve came into the Geology Coffee Room and seeing something he liked, said in a gruff voice, "Mongo like". After that everyone called him Mongo.
ReplyDeleteSteve was known in the department as someone who really loved his marijuana. He showed me a photo of his harvest one year. The bundle of grass was around a foot and a half in diameter and hanging from the ceiling in his mother's garage. It almost touched the floor. Steve said that he only used the best seeds, so it was good quality. He said that he never sold any. He just grew it for his own consumption. Steve said that he would plant it between rows of corn, just here and there, so it wouldn't arouse any suspicion. Steve was one of those guys in the Geology Department that everyone liked. He was outgoing, friendly and had a great sense of humor. It seemed like Steve was always smiling and enjoying life. I don't think that I had ever heard anyone say anything bad about him while I was there.
ReplyDeleteDear John: This obit. was on my webpage (?). I am so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. I remember some time ago you mentioned he was not well. I think of you often and hope that your life is happy and fulfilled. Please take care of yourself. I will never forget you. Always, Billie Marsac
ReplyDeleteSteve and I attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota - Duluth during his year there. His coffee cup was a natural extension of his right hand, as he always had it firmly in his grasp. A few of us who graduated from UMD would look him up when we were working near Las Vegas. Once while moving from Arizona to Reno my car broke down in Las Vegas and Steve was kind enough to put me up for the night until it could be fixed. I recently looked him up on the internet and am saddened to read of his passing.
ReplyDelete