Charles Matthaei witnessed war history, then became a Baking Hall of Famer
Charles Matthaei
He survived a kamikaze attack, was on deck of the USS Missouri during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and witnessed the formal surrender of Japan. After World War II, Charles Matthaei, ’43, went on to become a Tacoma business leader, philanthropist and advocate for community health programs. For his service, he was honored in November as the second recipient of the UW Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award.
Matthaei worked for the family business, Roman Meal, and under his leadership, Roman Meal became the number one variety bread in the late 1970s. He was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame in 2008. The MultiCare Health Foundation and Center for Healthy Living named an award in 2009 after Matthaei and his beloved wife Helen, who died in 2012, for supporting their programs. The Boy Scouts of America and the Tacoma Rotary also honored him.
Over the years, Matthaei maintained strong ties to the UW. In 2001, the Charles W.H. Matthaei Endowed Professorship in Chemical Engineering was established. And he was the 2003 Department of Chemical Engineering’s Distinguished Alumnus.