Matthew was born in 1983 to Michael and Sarah Watkins in Youngstown, Ohio. He spent two years there and two more in Richmond, Virginia, before his family settled down in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he grew up.
Over the years, his family expanded to include a brother, Ryan, and a sister, Megan--each four years apart. The foundation of Matt's life was his family. Each night, we gathered around the dinner table to share our busy days. We listened, laughed, vented, and supported one another equally. There was no shortage of love, a listening ear, an extra set of hands for projects, and plenty of optimism. Our family did many things together—vacationed at family cottages in the 1,000 Islands and Glen Lake and camping and sightseeing trips. Cutting down Christmas trees, decorating Easter eggs, homemade Halloween costumes, and pumpkin carving. Playing games with neighborhood kids and relatives, and much, much more. We attended soccer games, school plays, band and choral concerts, and many award ceremonies as a group. We went to church on Sunday, and the kids participated in Children's choirs and youth groups.
Our children were encouraged to pursue their dreams and excellence, and Matt embraced that notion thoroughly. He focused on STEM classes - science, technology, engineering, and math, and was a wiz on the computer. He took many advanced placement classes in high school and ultimately graduated Valedictorian in a class of ~450 students.
Outside of the academic arena, Matt was good at art and played soccer, the piano, and the trumpet. He was excited to play in the high school jazz band and attend band competitions in fun places such as Disney World.
He attended the University of Buffalo, receiving a full scholarship from the Distinguished Honors Program. Matt graduated with a double degree in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. He continued his higher education for an additional five years at Cornell University. 2010, he graduated with a Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Dr. Matthew Watkins taught for one year as a visiting professor at Harvey Mudd College in Clairmont, California, before trying his hand in the tech industry at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. He quickly realized that his preferred vocation was teaching. Moving back east, he taught at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, for three years and then at Lafayette College in Easton, PA, for almost three years.
Other interests included ballroom dancing, gardening, making beer and wine, tea, comics, Star Trek, cooking, baking (apple pies, yum), smoking meat (think baby back ribs), music (jazz and A cappella), roller coasters, balloon fests, photography, Mario Bros. and other video games, board games, camping, traveling the world, and family. Matt always returned to his family, where he cherished close relationships with all of us.