DR. JOHN STEPHEN MATTHIASSON

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DR. JOHN STEPHEN MATTHIASSON On June 16, 2001 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli, Dr. John Stephen Matthiasson, aged 64 years, passed away peacefully. Dr. Matthiasson was born December 21, 1936 in Randolph, WI. His early education was in Winnipeg; he earned a B.A. in sociology and philosophy from United College (now University of Winnipeg) completed masters studies at Michigan State University in sociology and anthropology; and completed his PhD at Cornell University in cultural anthropology. He taught at Marquette University, the University of Saskatchewan, and in Baden Baden, Germany, and was a professor for many years in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, retiring in 1997. A member of St. Johns College and a Senior Scholar, he was the author of a book, "Living on the Land: Culture Change Among the Inuit of Baffin Island", and of over a hundred articles and publications. He sat on the editorial boards of a number of scholarly journals. An authority of the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic, he spent 13 months in 1963 to 1964 living and hunting with the Inuit people on Baffin Island, and returned many times since then. He was one of the last scientists to record traditional Inuit society before the transition to the settlements. He also conducted extensive field work among the Canadian First Nations. He dedicated much of his life to increasing understanding of the issues facing native people in modern Canadian society. A second-generation Icelandic Canadian, Dr. Matthiassons Icelandic heritage was very important to him, and the latter part of his research career was devoted to studying Icelandic culture, and the ways that Icelandic-Canadians have adapted to their new home. A teacher as well as a researcher, Dr. Matthiasson touched hundreds of students, helping many find their way through the University into meaningful directions for their lives. He was especially proud of those that went on to help native and other less advantaged populations. Dr. Matthiasson was very active in the Icelandic-Canadian community, including editing "The Icelandic Canadian", and serving as a board member of the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli. Family was paramount to Dr. Matthiasson he was a member of a large Icelandic-Canadian extended family, and was a very proud parent and grandparent. He leaves his son Mr. Stephen Matthiasson of Davis, CA; his daughter Nancy Huntrods of Winnipeg, MB; four grandchildren, Harry and Kai Matthiasson, Crystal and Cynthia Huntrods; close companion Bernice Lawrence; one sister Ms. Mary Rampton; and two stepsisters, Ms. Evelyn Downey and Mrs. Gregory Purchase (Dorothy). He was predeceased by his father Dr. Matthias J. Matthiasson; his mother Mrs. Jonina Kristjanson; his stepfather Dr. Wilhelm Kristjanson; and his stepbrother Dr. Ronald Kristjanson. "His life was taken too soon. Yet was full and rich Much was accomplished. Many were touched. He inspired passion in his students. Emotion in his family. And left us with peace and dignity." The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nursing staff of the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli. Flowers gratefully declined, but should friends desire, donations may be made to the New Iceland Heritage Museum, 108 - 94 1st Ave., Gimli, MB R0C 1B1, (204) 642 - 4001. An interment of cremated remains will take place on Friday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery, 3001 Notre Dame Ave. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Johnson Memorial Hall, Gimli, on Saturday, June 23, with Rev. Donald Olsen officiating. A tribute to Dr. Matthiasson will also be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 25, in the College Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, 92 Dysart Rd., University of Manitoba. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2001