Erik Nicholas Matwijkow
OBITUARY
Erik Matwijkow passed away at his home in Dallas, Texas, on July 4. He was 55.
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Erik enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18. He took great pride in his military service, which he began as a member of Fighter Squadron VFQ-136 on the USS Midway during the Persian Gulf War. Despite the Midway’s older design and fewer catapults compared to the newer supercarriers, the Air Wing achieved an exceptionally high cyclic rate flying 3,339 combat sorties (averaging 121 per day) and dropping roughly 2,000 tons of ordnance without losing any aircraft or personnel to enemy fire.
Throughout his distinguished Navy career, Erik received several awards, including the Southwest Asias Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and the Battle “E” Award for exceptional service.
After the Gulf War, Erik was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan for a year where he enjoyed spending time in nearby Tokyo, making many friends and learning to speak Japanese. He left Japan on the USS Independence which ultimately brought him back to San Diego, where he spent his last year of service at the Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado.
In 1996, Erik began civilian life working as a graphic artist for the San Diego LGBT Community Center.
Five years later, Erik took his graphic talents to the Biomedical Library at UCSD, where he worked for 20 years. “He was an amazing colleague,” said Amy Butros, a biomedical research librarian “and such a valued member of our team.”
On the home front, Erik met Peter Cooper at the former AIDS Foundation San Diego where Erik volunteered and Peter was a social worker in the ’90s…but it wasn’t until 2016 that they became beloved partners.
They lived in a hilltop La Jolla home, where they raised two working line German Shepherds, named Fritz and Heidi, who Erik fondly called his “children.” Erik loved animals of all kinds, but it was the Shepherds who won his heart.
Erik and Peter’s philanthropy has made a significant contribution to the region and beyond, including gifts to The Old Globe Theatre, where they sponsored several plays, The Williams Institute at the UCLA Law School, the Chula Vista Police Foundation, the USS Midway Museum and the La Jolla Music Society where they served as co-chairs for the 2021 SummerFest Gala.
When they weren’t splitting time between their La Jolla and Dallas homes, Erik and Peter pursued their passion for travel around the world. Among their greatest adventures was dog-sledding over 100 kilometers of the Laplands and viewing the Northern Lights.
Their myriad itineraries included safaris in Africa, trips throughout Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and most recently to Australia and Oceana.
Inspired by these travels, Erik began to collect rare Fijian and Asmat artifacts, Japanese swords from the Eco and Shinto periods, and he was a lifetime collector of United Stated coins.
Erik is survived by his life partner and soul mate Peter Cooper, his loving sister, Dana Wirth, brother-in-law James Wirth, brother David Matwijkow, nephew Charlie Wirth and niece Phoebe Wirth.
A private memorial service for family and dear friends will be held at The Conrad, home of the La Jolla Music Society. Erik will be laid to rest at El Camino Memorial Park where Peter will eventually join him.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends anyone wishing to honor Erik may contribute to La Jolla Music Society.