Robert Lloyd Matousek

October 19,1938-August 11, 2018

Robert L. Matousek, my darling, passed away peacefully at our home in Tiburon, August 11, 2018. By his side were his wife Colette (Gelinas) Clowes, and goddaughter Heidi (Emerson) Altree.

Bob, beloved son of William Gustav Matousek and Louise (McDonald) Matousek, was born on October 19, 1938, in Carter SO. DAKOTA, on the ranch next to the Lakota Sioux Rosebud Reservation. He attended Carter Elementary School, 1 room, eight-grade school house. A graduate of Winner High School, he attended South Dakota State University for 2 years and then graduated with a business degree from the University of South Dakota in 1960. While a student at USD he was a member of SAE Fraternity, Student Association President, Stroller, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Distinguished Military Graduate, Student Senate, IFC, Scabbard and Blade. Served on the USD Foundation Board of Trustees for many years.

His military training in Army Intelligence was at Fort Benning and Fort Halliburton.

He was commissioned to GIESSEN GERMANY Army DEPOT. After proudly serving his country, he received an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Captain. He returned to South Dakota and was hired by IBM in Omaha, NB. He eventually returned to Europe and joined Cars International in 1964 owned by Charles Feeney. He located to Frankfurt, Germany selling cars to the GI’s “duty free”, until 1966. Bob loved sales and helped promote, through Diners Club the renovation and conversion of the ship QUEEN MARY into a hotel in Long Beach, CA. In 1967 Bob was hired by Duty Free Hawaii promoting duty free goods.

While in Honolulu he sported a London Cab that was famous to all locals and tourists. In 1969 he was transferred to open the downtown DFS in San Francisco.

Bob was sent to manage the DFS Boutique at Avenue de L’Opera, Paris FRANCE, May of 1973. He returned to San Francisco and remained with DFS until 1982 as manager of airport concessions SFO Airport. He pursued many different careers, marketed start ups such as Art Photography, Sweet Factory, Pure Roast Coffee, House in a Pouch and renovating a civil war hotel in Tennessee.

Bob and his brother Bill were involved in philanthropy with an endowment created through the USD Foundation to foster between SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY on the Rosebud Reservation and THE USD School of Education benefitting the Lakota Sioux Indian children.

With pride he supported the John T Vucurevich Children’s Center at the University of South Dakota... the day care center, named in honor of their parents Bill and Louise Matousek. They made additional contributions to the expansion programs to USD, including landscaping of “Old Main.” In 1990 Bob headed up the humanitarian projects for ATLANTIC PHILANTHROPY specifically focused on Vietnam through the generous gifting of philanthropist Charles Feeney, to help rebuild and restore Vietnam through education, health centers, libraries, and social programs in many provinces. He helped with the program “Helmets for Kids” preventing millions from head injury. While in Vietnam he met with General Yap, ambassadors, high ranking officials, foreign ministers and president, all of whom welcomed Atlantic Philanthropy with the realization that their country could be changed for the better with the help and AP.

Bob’s personal humanitarian involvement was (now terminated) THE PATHWAY HOME in Yountville, a cause close to his heart, Global Mobility, St Joseph’s Indian School, QuarryHill Botanical Gardens, DoJo Academy. He was a bon vivant, Renaissance man, world traveler with a love for mankind. He was known as the “Rosebud Cowboy”, Matous, Uncle Bob and, most proudly, as “Padre”, when asked the honor to officiate two marriages-a niece and a dear friend’s daughter, loved all kinds of music, (Johnny Cash a favorite), his South Dakota roots, godson, goddaughters, his partnership in vineyards, his home in Tiburon, CA., The Lakota Sioux Indians, and nurturing abundant friendships in the many corners of the world. He worked out daily, jogging the streets and hills of San Francisco, and the trails of Tiburon. Bob was a dapper dresser - always a silk handkerchief in his coat pocket, topped with a chic hat - his trademark. Most important was the love of his life-Colette.

He is the epitome of kindness, compassion bon temps, energy, provider of guidance and consultant to the young. He lovingly engaged with the old and embraced each day with vigor.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William and Louise Matousek, his brother Bill (2018), Bill’s lifetime partner Marjorie Caldieri (2017), He is survived by his loving wife, Colette Gelinas Clowes Matousek, his brother Jan, of Denver CO. (wife Mary Beth deceased 2015), nephew Peter, ( Kristen) Matousek, Spain, niece Kathryn (Matousek) Steinberg, Washington DC (Micheal Steinberg deceased 2017), nieces, nephews, an uncle and many cousins. Deep gratitude to The Thoracic Oncology medical teams at UCSF, the Radiation Oncology team at Marin General, and the internal medicine team in Mill Valley, headed by Dr. Sajot Grewal. Along with the optimum care given to my darling, thanks to the many caregivers and to our nurturing family and friends for their devoted support, love and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:

Global Mobility http://www.globalmobilityusa.org/ make-a-donation

UCSF Thoracic Oncology: https://makeagift.ucsf.edu/RobertMatousek