Herbert Fred Matthes, 80, of Hendersonville, NC passed away August 30, 2007, at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville after a lengthy illness. He was born August 31, 1926 in Lawrence, MA, the son of the late Herbert Matthes and Hattie Beck Matthes. After graduating from Lawrence High School, class of 1944, he enlisted in the Navy at age 17, serving during WWII. He subsequently attended the University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University. As a young man he was a member of the Lawrence Turn Verein, a cultural and gymnastic organization affiliated with the American Turners. He was a long term member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and also maintained his interest in racquetball, tennis, volleyball, and canoeing for most of his life. He was an accountant/office manager with several firms in the greater Lawrence area, and after his retirement to Hendersonville in 1988 he did the bookkeeping for the Lance Lumber Co. part-time, until the business closed. A former member of Christ Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, he was an ordained deacon, served as adult advisor to young people's groups and to the Greater Lawrence Christian Youth Council, and was a member and chairman of various church committees. He was an instructor and leader of International Folk Dance groups in the Andover, Reading, and Salem MA areas, and after his retirement he also taught groups at Blue Ridge Community College and Opportunity House in Hendersonville. Most recently he co-instructed classes on the Big Band music of the 1940's at BRCC and at Furman University in Greenville, SC. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Anne M. Matthes; three daughters: Carol M. Evans and Leslie A. Kurkjian of Methuen, MA, and Gayle L. Burke of Newton, NH; his sister, Dorothy M. Goller of Exeter, NH; eight grandchildren: Joseph and Sara Burke; Kyle and Ryan Press; Garry, Melissa, Charles and Samantha Kurkjian; and two nieces: Barbara Abbott of Haverhill, MA, and Ruth Ann Brinster of Freehold, NJ. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 409 Patterson St., Hendersonville, NC 28739. Jackson Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.


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