Matthew “Matt” J. Korbeck

TEMPE – Matthew “Matt” J. Korbeck, 73, of Tempe, died Sunday, April 29, 2018. He was born November 26, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, to Robert and Margaret (Doherty) Korbeck.

He graduated from Anchor Bay High School in New Baltimore, MI, in 1962. Matt proudly served his country, joining the Army in 1963. He worked for the Army Security Agency, both while on active duty and as a civilian and was stationed at the USASAFS Chitose in Hokkaido, Japan. After returning to the United States, he went on to work for the National Security Agency, headquartered in Ft. Meade, MD.

While at NSA, Matt completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Maryland University College and in 1979 applied for and was accepted into the MBA program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. After graduation in 1981, Matt started work at Motorola in Illinois as a contract negotiator and manager, first in two-way radio, then in cellular, and finally, with the Iridium project in Arizona. In this work that he loved, Matt negotiated contracts both domestically and internationally, helping to establish local police and fire communication systems and some of the first cellular systems in the United States, as well as cellular systems in countries such as Indonesia, Qatar, Spain, and the Philippines. He negotiated Iridium systems in Brazil, India, Thailand and several other countries.

He served on the ACLU of Arizona Board of Directors, was a member of the Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Council, and taught classes for the YWCA’s Own It Financial Education program. He was a passionate advocate for free speech, women’s rights, and the political candidates, both local and national, whom he supported.

Matt never met a stranger. He is fondly remembered for his ability to talk to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. He liked nothing better than a robust discussion about politics, religion, and sex, all topics one is supposed to avoid in polite company, but somehow he was able to make acceptable. He loved to travel. He and his wife, Karen, made numerous trips together to destinations across the globe, the latest being a safari trip to Tanzania.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews who mourn the loss of his presence in their lives. He is also missed by a multitude of friends and acquaintances from across the country.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life event will happen at a time and date to be determined. In honor of Matt and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to ACLU of Arizona, Planned Parenthood Arizona, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.