Continuing the Tradition

Dr. Roland Matthies could never say "no" to a good cause.  The 97-year old has long been a champion for countless charities in the Springfield area.  Over the years, he was a supporter of virtually every major community improvement campaign.  He is a charter member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, having performed in the violin section.  And he holds the longest term of membership in the local Kiwanis Club.

Dr. Matthies never sought fanfare and fame.  A devoted husband and father, he valued his family, church, employer and community.  Although the former vice president and treasurer of Wittenberg University led a typical middle-class lifestyle, he always found a way to be generous-whether it was with his time, his resources or his knowledge.

When Dr. Matthies and his late wife Maxine created their first fund at the Springfield Foundation in 1996, one of their desires was to inspire their children and grandchildren to do the same.

"Generosity has been a way of life for him," said his son, Richard.  "He has always led by example."

Since then, Roland, his daughter Barbara, Richard and his wife Vicki have collectively created four separate funds for charitable gift-giving.  In 2006, the four family membrs came together to create yet one more fund.  This family advised fund will allow Richard and Vicki's children to carry on the family tradition of giving passed on from their grandparents.

"After Dad is gone, my sister and I will be able to direct a portion of what he has left to meet the community's charitable needs,"  Richard said.  "Through this arrangement, my children will be able to do the same."

Depsite his 97 years, Dr. Matthies has set his sights on continuing to improve the Clark County community for many more years.  With the help of the Springfield Foundation, he has set in motion a family tradition that will sustain his giving spirit for generations to come.