Richard D. Mathey, 84, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away June 15, 2023. He was born on July 19, 1938 in Salem, Ohio, to Vera (Guy) Mathey and Edward Eugene Mathey.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ethel, and children Stephen (Dawn), Portage, Shawn (Sujin Lee), Bowling Green, and daughter Suzanne Rawlings (Darrell), Richmond, Indiana. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jesse (Jaima) and Jared (Patricia) Mathey, Aubrey, John (Shianne), and Michael (Kylie) Rawlings, and Hannah and Sarah Mathey. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, step-father William C. Rugani, and his daughter Stacey Mathey Osborn.
A graduate of Capital University, he taught for seven years in the Columbus, Ohio public schools, and 32 years at Bowling Green State University, where he was professor of music and director of choral activities. After retiring from BGSU in 2000, he served on the faculties of Ohio University (2001), Ball State University (2007), and Ohio Northern University (2012). In 2010, he was honored as one of the 100 most influential graduates of BGSU. The Barbershop Harmony Society elected Professor Mathey to their National Hall of Fame in 2009, and Capital University honored him in 2004 with the Capital University alumni achievement award.
Throughout his musical development, those teachers who had a large impact on his career included Neva Duvall Locker (high school choral director), Ellis E. Snyder (Capital University director of choral music), Wilbur Crist (director of instrumental music, Capital University), Nicolai Timofeyew (voice teacher and internationally acclaimed tenor, Columbus, Ohio), and Ivan H. Trusler (director of choral activities at Bowling Green State University).
His various university choirs appeared on national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the Ohio Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Michigan Music Education Association. He conducted All-State Choirs in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia, and made numerous high school and middle school guest choral appearances during his career.
He was a winner of the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation vocal competition in 1971, which led to his singing debut at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center (NY) complex.
Richard, affectionately known as RD, was not only a beloved educator but also possessed a world-class operatic tenor voice that thrilled thousands of listeners throughout his career. That voice was heard not only on performance stages, but in the family station wagon while on cross-country vacations and at the dinner table while teaching his family how to sing four-part harmony. He loved his family above all else, and they will miss him dearly.
At the family’s request there will be no visitation. A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. Online condolences can be made at the Deck-Hanneman website (www.hannemanfh.com).
Those wishing to honor Professor Mathey may donate to the BGSU Men’s Chorus Fund (www.bgsu.edu/musical-arts/ensembles/choral/mens-chorus/donate.html) or
the Mazza Children’s Center at the University of Findlay (www.givecampus.com/campaigns/31556/donations/new).
