Matthew Gregory Gwaltney

Matthew was born Dec. 11, 1982, to Karen P. and G. Gregory Gwaltney Jr. He was a 2001 graduate of Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va. Among the awards and recognition Matthew received were acceptance in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society at Thomas Dale and into Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering undergraduate honor society; Tau Beta Pi, engineering honor society; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Phi Eta Sigma; Golden Key International Honor Society; and Phi Kappa Phi at Virginia Tech.

Sports were Matthew’s passion and he was a master of sports statistics and trivia. He was a devoted Hokies fan and enjoyed all ACC sporting events. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bulls led his list of favorite professional teams. Matthew played basketball and baseball at Thomas Dale and continued to play pickup basketball at Tech. At Thomas Dale, Matthew was an avid, dedicated team member, and his cheerful disposition and determination earned him many lasting friends, including Ashby Tarkington, Phil Tysinger, Nick Anders, Michael Kendrick, Matt Green, Paul Lamborn, Russell Krupp, Travis Koogler, Kevin McCain, and Sarah Radford.

Matthew was also devoted to his family. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Frances G. Gwaltney, and two aunts, Kathy G. Huffman and Kimberly D. Poindexter. He is survived by his parents; his step-mother, Linda Gwaltney; his grandparents, Granville G. Gwaltney Sr. and Lee and Donez Poindexter; aunts Cynthia G. Rowe and Kelly P. Amidon; uncles Gerard and Michael; cousins Jonathan, Katelyn, and Rhiannon; and his mother’s friend, James M. Clay.

The family recommends contributions be made to the Matthew Gregory Gwaltney Memorial Fund. Donations may be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc. and sent to Virginia Tech Foundation, University Development (0336), Blacksburg, VA 24061 or to donate online visit https://webapps.es.vt.edu/givingto/academic/gift.