Dick was born in Hanford, California to Glenn and Beth Matteson (nee Shofner). After his parents divorced, he and his mother moved to Three Rivers. It was a wonderful place to grow up on a ranch - chores, horses, cattle and raising steers for FFA. It was the beginning of a lifelong love of the high Sierras, back packing, horses and mules.
Exeter girls thought Three Rivers boys were so cool. One Sunday afternoon, three Exeter girls went to Three Rivers to swim in the river. Before they left, the mother of one of the girls told her not to get her hair wet because she was playing in the band for Baccalaureate that evening. Two of the girls were meeting their boyfriends but when they arrived there was a third boy. Of course the boy threw the girl into the river and got her hair wet. And of course the boy was Dick and the girl was Phyllis. It was the beginning of sixty-two years of marriage.
Dick loved to build and make things. He would either think it out in his head or sketch it out on paper. His proudest and biggest challenge was when the whole family built a cabin at Mountain Aire in the Sequoia National Forest. He had never built with plans and to code. With some do-overs it got finished.
The greatest love of his life was his family. He was happiest when all the family gathered together for holidays, special occasions and birthdays. He always looked forward to holding the new babies when they arrived.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, daughters Melinda Matteson and Michelle and Mark Manning, grandchildren Aubrey Carpio (Emilio), Charles Boonstra (Kristi), Aaron Manning, Carrie Gonzales (Brian), and Benjamin Boonstra, great grandchildren Connor, Jacob, Gavin, Ryker, Avery, and Skye'Lynn. He is also survived by his brother, Mehrten Homer and his wife Glenda.
Private services will be held at the Lemoore Cemetery in the Matteson family plot.

God has planned we'll meet there in the promised land on tireless horse, with flawless stride. We'll make that last long ride together.