Matthew Martin Samuelson

The world has lost the most amazing person. The hole this leaves in our lives will never be filled.  

Matt was the kindest, silliest, smartest, most loving and gentle person I’ve ever known. He was the one I always looked to for balance and perspective and a steadfast provider of love and support. He was my partner in crime and the one who always shared my jokes. He created safe spaces and passionately fought for all the right things.  

Son, brother, partner, father, uncle, mentor, fighter and friend.   

He leaves the world a better place for everyone because of his effect on others. We made the most phenomenal kids and he was a devoted father to our three children, Alexander, Benjamin & Natasha.  While we were blessed by having been with him, it’s just not fair that we didn’t get more time.  

No words can adequately express the depth of our loss. 

He waged a brief, but intense battle with cancer after being diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma in late June 2024. He passed quickly and gently with me (his wife), and his parents by his side.  

Matthew was born in Tacoma Washington, moved with his parents Bruce and Janice and brother Nicholas to Germany. They then settled back into Sonoma County CA at a young age. He played RP Little League with his brother and friends coached by his father.  

Matthew met me (Emily) at Rohnert Park Junior High at the Turkey Trot. We became close friends at Rancho Cotate High School, but ultimately formed a romantic relationship in college. We shared 26 years wonderful year together, including 22 years of marriage. He was my best friend, my other half, my safe place, my entire world. Together, we built a loving home and family. 

But there’s never enough time.  I will cherish all the moments we shared.  

He obtained his teaching credential from Sonoma State University. He taught in various areas including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Vallejo before returning to teach at his alma mater Rancho Cotate High School in 2014 for the Phoenix Program.  

Matthew loved patterns, logic, and problem solving.  He used this passion to inspire others while teaching his math courses. He had puzzle games, Lego, chess and Rubik’s cubes all over.  We enrolled the kids in Gracie Barra Rohnert Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to learn discipline, and years later when he joined it became a passion for him as well. His BJJ game was a puzzle on the mat requiring presence, awareness, and always looking for new, unexplored opportunities. It taught him endurance, patience and strength, while creating lasting friendships. His calm and patient demeanor allowed him to see challenges as a puzzle to solve.  

He loved fiction, fantasy and imagination. He was an avid comic book and sci-fi reader. He loved playing games with friends and creating adventures to enjoy and shared that love with his students and children.  His “Knights of the Lunch Table” game club kept his classroom a place of fun and refuge.  His gaming group was a particular love of his, and he looked forward to every new meeting and adventure, be it Call of Cthulhu, Dungeons & Dragons, Marvel Role Playing, Forgotten Realms, Alien, Star Wars, Warhammer 40k, Pathfinder, or others; He loved you and all your adventures together.   

He valued art and creativity. He obtained a minor in studio art from Sonoma State while working towards his teaching credential.  He painted miniatures for his gaming adventures and loved building models and Lego.  He created the most phenomenal Halloween costumes for his family out of plaster, cardboard, duct tape, spray paint and love.  

He cherished stories in all forms. He loved movies and television that took us on different journeys. He took pleasure in sharing things he loved, and would recommend and chat at length about whichever series he was passionate about at the moment, because he always wanted others to be as happy as he was.  

Endearingly sweet and funny, he used humor as a great outlet and means of connection. He loved to share the silly and fun wherever he went.  

He loved trips and making memories with his family. Hawaii and Disney were a few favorites.  

Music was always a part of his life. He played percussion from a young age and continued to tap his fingers and toes to the beat until the day he passed. He took piano lessons when his children were young in order to play them lullabies.  He incorporated music into his classroom lessons and shared his love with his children.  He encouraged others to explore what the music made them feel and why.  

Some of his favorite concerts were seeing Elton John & Billy Joel, Simon & Garfunkel, sharing Death Angel with the boys, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, the many times we saw Weird Al and They Might Be Giants.  And don’t forget Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE!  And always seeing Aunty Aja perform.   

He also enjoyed theater.  He spent many hours on stage himself through high school, and continued to enjoy going to the theater. He loved musicals and live performances.  

He loved animals and compassion. He was involved in bringing therapy dogs to the Phoenix program from Canine Companions.  He believed in the strength and healing of a good head scratch or puppy snarfle. The days that the therapy dogs came to his classroom and students were always days he looked forward to.  

He was a fierce advocate for at-risk youth, dedicated to creating safe spaces that fostered healing, growth and love within a supportive environment.  He was incredibly devoted to the unique value of the Phoenix program.  He dedicated countless hours to studying how to best support and reach the kids that needed him the most. He touched so many lives.  

Matt valued his own mentors and championed the naming of the RCHS Theater after one of his favorite teachers, Jim Pitt. It’s wonderfully full circle to see him become such an admirable mentor himself and an inspiration to so many others.  

He also believed in animal rescues. He valued all creatures being safe and loved. His dogs Maggie and Zeus, and cat Minerva all came through rescues.   

Matthew is survived by his wife Emily Strohecker Samuelson; children Alexander (Lex), Benjamin and Natasha; Parents Bruce Samuelson and Janice Samuelson; Brother Nicholas Samuelson.  

Go forth and spread some awesome energy on his behalf.  

Please keep him in your hearts.  His love was tremendous. Help us continue to support the helpers that he valued in our community.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to 

Canine Companions https://canine.org/donate-now/ 

Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County https://www.forgottenfelines.com/giving 

Child Parent Institute https://calparents.org/how-to-help/ 

PFLAG https://pflag.org/donate/ 

Memorial services to follow at a later date. 

-Emily Samuelson, loving wife and partner 

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