Blair H. Mathews

Blair Mathews age 93 of Madison, WI passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at his home. He was comfortable, pain free and with loving family. Blair was born in Green Bay, WI in 1931 to Harold Guy Mathews and Elizabeth Marie Perkins.

After graduating from Green Bay West High School in 1949 Blair came to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He completed undergraduate and master degrees majoring in psychology while simultaneously serving in R.O.T.C. Some of his favorite memories of that time were participating in recreational sports and serving as a house fellow in the university residence halls.

Blair served his military duty as a staff psychologist at Fort Leavenworth maximum security prison in Kansas. Subsequently he went to the University of Florida where he completed a doctorate in psychology. 

He returned to his beloved University of Wisconsin until his retirement in 1994. During those decades Blair served as an Associate Dean in the College of Letters and Science, Assistant Dean in the Dean of Students Office and assistant to the Vice Provost. He counseled and advised countless students throughout his career whose lives he significantly influenced. Blair supervised doctoral and masters degree students as they served as clinical interns in the University Counseling Services.

During the 60’s and the Vietnam War years, he was challenged by the strains and pressures of the times. He spent long days and nights with students seeking his counsel. Some of his initiatives of those turbulent times include creative program development, curriculum reform and college transfer policies. In the early 70’s Blair envisioned, secured financial support and ultimately created a student center for students with disabilities. [1] The McBurney Center for Students with Disabilities is now a vital part of the University of Wisconsin Madison serving innumerable students with visible and invisible disabilities. It has become a model for other centers across the nation.

It was during the turbulent Vietnam War years that Blair discovered Tai Chi which he described as an external manifestation of an internal meditation. That practice became an integral part of his life for the next 60 years. For many years he taught Tai Chi in the UW Health Integrative Medicine Eastern Practices program. He wrote Haiku poetry which he enjoyed paring with other poetic works and visual art.

Blair loved tennis, running, travel, and sitting in his garden. He was deeply committed to the mission of the University of Wisconsin - Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve and served on the board for several years.

Over the course of his life Blair lived with physical pain with grace and acceptance. He referred to it as his teacher. The love for his family and friends sustained him throughout.

Blair is survived by his wife Karen Johnson Mathews of 37 years; children: Craig (Laureen), Kyle (Barbara), Kristin, and Kent (Joanna); grandchildren: Lynsey (Roe), Kevin, Logan, Dylan, Austin, Lukas, Ross and Ty; and six great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Guy Mathews and Elizabeth Marie Perkins; his siblings, Edward Mathews and Elaine Hegg; and his former wife and mother of his children Marilyn Demmer Mathews.

There will be a memorial for Blair in May with details yet to be announced. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the University of Wisconsin - Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve, https://www.supportuw.org/how-to-give/area-program/lakeshore-nature-preserve/

A personal thank you to Craig Larson, Rebekah K. from the Bright Star Care Agency and the Agrace Hospice Badger Care Team for their caring for Blair these past 10 months.

A Blair Haiku

Transition

Sitting Still

Preparing Path

This World

Other World

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406