William Mc. Matthew

William McGowan ("Mac") Matthew was born in Charleston, South Carolina on September 20, 1926 the younger son of the late John Douglas Matthew and Olive McGowan Matthew. He died on May 3, 2015. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Kit Matthew and her husband Dr. George Stevens, also of Charleston. Besides his parents Mac was predeceased by his wife, Kathryn Kahrs Matthew, his brother Robert Matthew and his sister Clelia Mengebier. A third generation Charlestonian, Mac attended local public schools including the High School of Charleston. While there he was awarded the Thomas P. O'Neale Medal, the George W. McIver Medal and the W.P. Cart Cup. Following graduation, Mac attended The Citadel for a year before receiving a Congressional Appointment to the United States Naval Academy. After earning a B.S. degree in 1947 as a member of the accelerated Naval Academy class of 1948-A (7th Company), Mac embarked on a varied career in the Navy. He attended the Naval Intelligence School (1956) prior to becoming Assistant Naval Attaché and Naval Attaché for Air at the American Legation in Tangier, and then at the American Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. In 1957 he returned to sea as the Commanding Officer of Sagacity. After attending the Naval War College in 1960, Mac became Executive Officer of Agerholm and then Commanding Officer of Wexford County. He later became Head of the CINCPAC Special Security and Special Projects Office in Hawaii where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for outstanding performance of duty. Mac's final assignments were as Head of the Guided Missiles and Astronautics Division, Chief, Weapons Systems Office and Assistant Officer in Charge of the Naval Scientific and Technical Intelligence Center in Washington, D.C. Prior to retirement in 1967 he received the degree of Master of Science in International Affairs from The George Washington University. Upon returning to Charleston, Mac joined Utilities Construction Company as Director of Company Services and later the Medical University of South Carolina where he became Vice President of Development and Chief Executive Officer of the Health Sciences Foundation (now the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation), the private fundraising arm of the Medical University. Under his leadership the Foundation significantly increased its support of the Medical University's education, research, and patient-care programs. Among Mac's special interests after retirement were those patriotic hereditary organizations whose members are descendents of many of the early leaders of our Nation. Mac's major interest was the Society of the Cincinnati, the oldest military hereditary society in the United States, which he joined in 1966. This Society was founded in 1783 by the officers of the Continental Army at the close of the Revolution with George Washington as its first President General. As the Society's 31st President General, Mac was responsible for leading a multi-million dollar Capital Campaign to restore the Society's national headquarters in Washington. The restoration of the library and museum there further energized the Society's membership in their efforts to promote our Nation's understanding democracy and the sources of our freedom, especially among the young people of our country. Following his wishes, a private funeral service will be held in the West Churchyard of St. Philip's Church. Memorial contributions may be made to either "The Kahrs-Matthew Fund of Coastal Community Foundation" which supports historic preservation and environmental programs in the Charleston region (c/o Coastal Community Foundation, 635 Rutledge Avenue, Suite 201, Charleston, S.C. 29403), or "The Employee Appreciation Fund at Bishop Gadsden" in honor of the care provided by the staff of Bishop Gadsden's Read Cloister Skilled Nursing (c/o Charitable Giving Department, Bishop Gadsden, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, S.C. 29412).