Robert Matje, a decorated Army veteran, a long-time community volunteer and advocate, and sales manager and business executive, died on April 10 at 84 years old, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Robert Williams Matje was born in November 1939 in Philadelphia. While he was stationed in Germany, he met Peggy Skender. They married in 1966 and settled in Malvern in 1969. Together, they had three children: Bob, Mark, and Kristen.  

Matje served in the Army from 1962 to 1968 as a platoon leader and battalion intelligence officer in Germany. In 1966 and 1967, he served as a senior advisor for combat operations in Vietnam. Matje earned the Silver Star, Bronze Medal Star, and Air Medal for directing aircraft to key targets in South Vietnam. 

After his tour in Vietnam was complete, he trained officers who were prepping for deployment at Fort Benning in Georgia. 

In the early 1980s, Matje took on a role at Paper Corp. of America, where he rose to Vice President before his retirement in 2006.  

Matje was passionate about community and spent many hours giving back. He was a spirited leader of the Boy Scouts for over 40 years. He directed youth programs for the YMCA, coached Little League baseball, and volunteered as a physical education teacher’s aide. 

His family said in a tribute: “He was a dynamic leader, manager, and tactical problem solver.” 

Read more about Robert Matje’s inspiring impact at The Philadelphia Inquirer.