Ralph Edward Matthews, Jr. (Bud)

My older brother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away this a.m. from sepsis, an often fatal blood infection. We are not sure how he contracted the infection, although it was likely from a recent bike fall in Costa Rica, in which he broke his collar bone and had many scrapes/bruises.

His condition got worse, day by day. At first, just a fever and coughing, and very sleepy. Then, shortness of breath and red patches on his skin. Then lower blood pressure and heart issues. His body was shutting down.

He loved everything about Costa Rica and tried to spend all of his time there enjoying all that nature provided. He loved cars. Old cars and race cars. He loved drinking cold beers and smoking the occasional splif.

He loved his family, with an especially close bond with his niece Chloe. He loved bugs, birds, monkeys and the other creatures of nature. He loved to teach science and biology to all that were interested. He loved the beach.

If you knew my brother, please celebrate his life by tipping a cold one and hugging your family. He is in a better place now and we will see him on the other side. Good-bye my brother.

Source: by Bruce Matthews (Ralph's brother)