Esteemed professor and schizophrenia researcher Steven W. Matthysse, age 85, passed away on September 19, 2024, with Marcia, his wife of 41 years, by his side.
Born in New York City to Irving and Adele Matthysse, his intellectual abilities were recognized early, and he happily pursued the life of the mind. He entered Yale at 16 and received two undergraduate degrees. He received his Ph.D in clinical psychology at Harvard University.
He taught psychology at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and psychobiology and psychology at Harvard Medical School, the latter as professor. He was research director of the schizophrenia research program at the Scottish Rite in Lexington.
In his three decades at McLean Hospital, he co-founded the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, one of the first brain tissue banks in the U.S. He was author and editor of numerous books and articles, including in areas of interest such as mathematics, physics and religion.
Steven said in his younger years he believed that “the body existed to carry the brain from library to library.” But in his middle years, he discovered a love of technical rock climbing, which led him to one of his greatest passions: the study of classical ballet. It was in a ballet partnering class that he met the love of his life, Marcia Jenney, and their long partnership began.
Steven and Marcia made their home in Sudbury for 27 years and then in West Newton for nine years before moving to Newbury Court.
Annette Nicolas, chaplain at Newbury Court senior living, wrote of Steven, “His curiosity led him into endless explorations, from theology and quantum physics to mountain climbing…. His willingness to ask the hard questions, wrestled with concepts the human mind cannot comprehend, and to negotiate living in the mystery of the unknowable made for some truly fascinating conversations.”
Steven will always be remembered as the very picture of the Renaissance man at his 25th wedding anniversary party, where in period costume he and Marcia performed the 1581 balletto “Ardente Sole” (Passionate Sun) for costumed guests.
A longtime member of the First Parish Church in Weston (Unitarian Universalist), Steven firmly believed that the beauty and order of Nature reflected the existence of God.
In addition to his wife Marcia, Steven is survived by his first wife, Ann Gale Matthysse and his son Michael of North Carolina, and his goddaughter Ashley Bedarf of Milford, Connecticut.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, 80 Deaconess Road.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders or the Ellen Gifford Cat Shelter, 30 Undine Road, Brighton, MA 02135.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence in his online guestbook, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
