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Thread: The Passing of a Dear Friend

  1. #1

    Default The Passing of a Dear Friend

    I have the deep regret of having to inform everyone I know of the passing of Harry P. Materne III. Matt and I were good friends since college. I visited him two to three times a week after his car accident. Back then we shared a house for several years. The infamous “Highland Barracks”. Both of us were in each other’s wedding. We stayed in touch almost daily through the years sharing our love of history and our warped sense of humor. I have no words for this moment. I feel like I have lost a piece of my soul. Please pray for Karleen, Graeme, and Owen

    The following is the post from Karleen, his wife.

    There is no easy way to do this, so please accept my apologies if I was unable to speak with you personally today. It was a very sad day.

    After celebrating a lovely Valentine's Day and a beautiful Saturday morning, the man who loved me more than anyone passed away. I was with him when he died.
    Harry Materne (Matt to some of you) will be forever in the hearts of so many. We will be having a unique celebration of his life in a few weeks. (Harry always hated the way we celebrate death.) Details to follow. At this time, the boys and I would like to thank all of you for holding us in your hearts. Hug your special someone tonight. You never know how many of those you'll have.
    Last edited by rhodie80; 03-05-2020 at 11:27.


    Here's to them what are like us. Damn few and they're all dead.

  2. #2

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    This is such very sad news. My sincerest condolences to Karleen and his two sons.

    Matt was such a great man and will be greatly missed here on the forums. Not only was he a kind and thoughtful member of the community, but he was dedicated to keep this site running as smoothly as possible. Matt was one of one of the rocks that I leaned on to keep the site running on a daily bases. He was also the man that earned my trust to take over the Lend-Lease program. He personified everything that is good about this community.

    Matt, you will be greatly missed in our digital skies my friend.

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    I will be working out the detail for a memorial fund in Matt's honor. The money raised will be used to buy flowers for his services in the name of the Aerodrome community and to help his family with some of the burden they are now facing.


  3. #3

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    So, so sad - we will be praying for all of you!

  4. #4

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    I am shocked beyond words.
    RIP Matt
    He will be greatly missed by all here.

  5. #5

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    Thank you for sharing this painful news, rhodie. Harry was a gentleman. My sympathies to his family and close friends.

  6. #6

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    I am absolutely shocked at the news which I saw on Facebook this morning. My condolences to the family. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his work on the Wings forum.

    Blue Skies Matt.
    Last edited by Guntruck; 02-15-2020 at 22:56.
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

  7. #7

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    Sorry to read this.

    Can‘t believe it...
    Last edited by Marechallannes; 02-16-2020 at 01:18.
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  8. #8

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    Oh my god, I can’t believe it. Matt was an absolute legend whom I had the privilege to meet at Hendon last year. I have no words...
    Feel so desperately sad for his family.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  9. #9

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    Harry (Matt) second right, with son Graeme second left, when they visited the RAF Museum last year. As Hedeby said, it was a privilege to meet him.

    Last edited by Guntruck; 02-16-2020 at 01:24.
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

  10. #10

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    I had the privilege and honour to meet Matt, Harry (always a laugh with him at Origins as I tried to get my head round that initially), in 2015 at Origins. Since then we swapped many pm's on a variety of subjects. Matt was a true gentleman, a real Knight of the sky. Blue skies, my friend R. I. P.

    Neil
    See you on the Dark Side......

  11. #11

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    Paint the world black. There are no words in my mind they can express my feelings.
    My deepest sympathies to Karleen and the rest of family.

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  12. #12

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    Gutted.
    Still in shock.
    What can we do to help?
    Tears on the keyboard.

  13. #13

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    Oh nooo,
    what a horrible news this is ... such a helpful and friendly person, just gone ... altough we never met in person ... I still have one of his handwritten notes ...
    I'll will never forget him.
    Condolences and strenght to his wife and boys.

    Guus
    "zet 'm op ... witte muizen !" (strijdkreet van 1e JaVa, Luchtvaart Afdeling, Nederland 1940)
    "let's go get them ... white mice !" (battlecry of the 1st Fighter Group, Army Air Force, Netherlands 1940)

  14. #14

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    That is shattering news, I was just swapping e-mails with him the other day.
    Jim, accept my condolences on losing your best buddy, I know how close you guys were, and please send my family's condolences to Karleen and the boys, they are in our thoughts.

    "He is wise who watches"

  15. #15

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    Very sad and deeply shocking news.

    His passing has left a great void here on the Forum - how much more so for his family.

    My deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to them.

    I never got to meet him, to my great regret.
    I'll raise more than one glass to Matt tonight.

    Blue skies, Matt.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  16. #16

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    I do feel like crying...how come, Old Friend, why? We have not managed to meet each other, although we knew each other so well...
    Blue skies, Harry, you will be remembered!
    Thoughts are with your family. Take care.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  17. #17

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    Just heard the news, cant believe this so sad news. Only met him and his son a short while ago.
    My heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife and family, a real loss not just for them but all of us too.
    RIP Matt

  18. #18

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    I wept too Zoe!
    Chris phoned me with this shocking news a few minutes ago, so I was prepared but seeing it here in print brought it home to me.
    Although we had never met in person, as a fellow admin bod one gets to know the other admin chaps quite intimately. I was so looking forward to seeing him at Doncaster this year. Now I guess I will have to wait a while longer.
    To Karleen and the family, I can only say this. Harry and the rest of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Every time I log on and don't have a PM waiting for me from Matt, I will reflect on the comradeship which we have shared over the last few years here on the Drome.
    Goodnight Matt and God bless you.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  19. #19

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    Oh my! What a loss for all. Matt was always a friendly, encouraging presence on the forum. One could sense the genuine, warm person behind the posts. Condolences to Matt’s family.

    “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
    And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
    Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
    of sun-split clouds... and touched the face of God."

  20. #20

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    I don't know what to say. All I can say is that I echo all of your thoughts. My thoughts and prayers and with his family and friends. Especially his wingman.

    I don't know what else to say. I am sad.

  21. #21

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    I......have no words.
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  22. #22

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    In Flanders fields the poppies blow
    Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
    Scarce heard amid the guns below.

    We are the Dead. Short days ago
    We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
    In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.

    MY deepest sympathies to Matt's Family
    I miss you Brother you slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.”
    till will meet again Brother Slow Salute

  23. #23

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    This is a terribly sad day. I can't believe it, I don't want to believe it.

    Matt was the warmest person I've ever met. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

    Jim, I can't imagine the pain you feel just by how I feel. So hard to type this as I almost can't see my keyboard through the tears.

  24. #24

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    Matt is in my memory as one of the most kind, generous and balanced people I met.
    We didn't meet in person but we exchanged messages and friendship throughout these years.

    It is strange that today I had a need to visit the Aerodrome. I didn't know why.
    I saw the banner of Matt's passing and an overwhelming sadness and sense of companionship filled me up.

    My most heartfelt sympathies and thoughts to Matt's family.

  25. #25

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    Just got on and saw this. My mouth is wide open with the shock of this news. As with most I have no words. I never met Matt but felt a kinder soul with him as we were in the same unit, Army Security Agency, so we had that in common. My condolences to his family and all those that knew him.
    God bless him and may he rest in peace.
    as our unofficial saying was 'IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS WE MONITOR". Peace unto you brother.

  26. #26

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    It's hard to believe, I will miss Matt very much
    It was always enjoyable to fly with and against him on the tabletop.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200116_184947.jpg   20200116_184947.jpg  
    Last edited by Old guy; 02-16-2020 at 10:31.

  27. #27

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    Completely shocked! Matt was a wonderful person and I am glad I had the opportunity to have had him in my life. A great loss for the gaming community. He will be greatly missed. It breaks my heart that such a wonderful person left us so early. Prayer and hugs to all!

  28. #28

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    Rest in Peace, Matt. My condolences to Karleen, his sons, relatives and all his friends. I will pray for you.

  29. #29

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    I just saw the news on Facebook and now here on the Forums. This is truly shocking news. I was hoping to get to Ohio one time and fly with the Wright Flyers. Perhaps Matt and I shall meet in the future.
    So how many books are in your personal library?

  30. #30

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    Blue skies Matt

  31. #31

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    Absolutly shocked when I heard about this. Rest in Peace Mr. Matt.

  32. #32

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    I've never met this gent but please accept my sincerest condolences.

  33. #33

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    Quote Originally Posted by RJG173 View Post
    I was hoping to get to Ohio ... and fly with the Wright Flyers.
    I was also hoping to actually meet Harry in either Ohio or here in Oregon (his sister lives here)

  34. #34

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    I never met Matt either but I do know his constant support, comments and advice will be sorely missed. A real champion of our game and from the sound of things a real pillar to his family and friends. Commiserations and prayers to all of them.

  35. #35

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post

    I am shocked beyond words.
    RIP Matt
    He will be greatly missed by all here.
    I didn't recognize the name, as I have always known him as Matt. What Pete said!
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

  36. #36

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    We will all miss flying with you Matt! You were a great friend and all around amazing person!

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  37. #37

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    Stunned....as much fun as Matt was at the tables it all paled in comparison to the conversations afterwards over brews and a burger. Great laugh.
    Humble, sensitive, kind, generous...all the above accolades still fall short...and he truly deeply loved his wife and kids...and his good friends, especially Jim....so sorry to hear of his passing.

  38. #38

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    i am truly gutted and at a loss for words, i met matt on several occasions. to me he was a creative, kind, supportive and thoughtful man. to hear he has passed on has saddened me deeply . may he forever rest in peace

    -Esa

  39. #39

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    Jim, saying a prayer for you and his family.
    Tony

  40. #40

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    my deepest condolences jim, for you and matts family. i may only have known matt for a few years, but his camaraderie, humor, and kindness touched me deeply. he will be sorely missed.
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    bkue skies and swift tail wind matt.

  41. #41

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    BBSuds (Bob) and I (Beth) would like to send our condolences to Matt's (Harry's) family. We had the pleasure of meeting him at Origins and enjoyed his wonderful personality and great heart. Unfortunately we missed Origins last year. So the last time we saw him he was introducing aliens to the WOG world. We had so much fun and enjoyed flying with him always. He made us feel like part of the family! He will forever be in our hearts, memories, and pictures.

  42. #42

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    He will be missed. One of the nicest guys to fly with. This is such a shock. My prayers for the family. I'm at a loss of words.

    God bless,
    Thomas

  43. #43

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    Yeow. We have truly lost a community member here. Keith, please do keep us informed of the memorial fund.

  44. #44

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    Can't believe this sad, sad news. My heart and condolences go out to his family.. You will be sadly missed Matt! Blue Skies old chap RIP.

  45. #45

  46. #46

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    This was such sad, sad news.
    I picked up on it via Facebook & some emails as my PC has been down following my relocation home & only got it working today.
    I was able to get emails via my Tablet but could not access the Forum.
    My sincere condolences to his wife & sons & all his mates here on the 'drome!

    R.I.P. Matt & Blue Skies forever.

  47. #47

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    Very sad... Rest in peace, Matt!

  48. #48

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    I never knew him personally, but will be praying for his family.

  49. #49

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    My condolences to the family, Lex

  50. #50

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    Sorry to hear about that, and condolences to those lucky enough to have known him well.

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