Matthys Gerardus “Matt” Roos, 79, died Saturday, September 20, 2014 at his Montesano home surrounded by his family following a two year battle with cancer.
Matt was born in The Hague, Holland on June 4, 1935, the son of Gerardus P. and Katarina J. (Verbaan) Roos. As a child he lived through the World War Two German occupation of his country.
He graduated from the University of The Hague in 1954 with a Mechanical Engineering degree. He worked for engineering firms in Spain, Germany and England, immigrating to Canada in 1959. He spent 5 years in Vancouver at the Scott Paper Company.
In 1961 he immigrated to the US where he worked for 34 years at Lamb Grays Harbor Comppany as a Design Engineer and group leader in the Bale division. He traveled extensively for Lamb as an installation and start-up engineer and trouble shooter.
Matt was married to the former Loretta Mayer in Aberdeen in 1966 and they made their home in Montesano.
After retirement in 2000, Matt opened Roos Engineering and worked on projects locally and internationally.
He was an avid sailor and spent his happiest hours on his boat in Puget Sound. He loved to clam dig, fish and spend time with his family and friends.
He was a member of the Washington State Professional Engineers Association and St. John’s Catholic Church, Montesano.
Matt is survived by his wife of 48 years, Loretta Mayer Roos of the family home in Montesano; two sons: Eric (Michelle) Roos, Central Park and Matt Roos, Toledo, WA; a sister: Jacoba van der Klis, The Hague, Holland; two grandchildren: Danica and Dakota Roos; and two nieces: Caroline and Annemieke, von der Klis.
A memorial mass will be held at Noon Saturday, September 27th in St. John’s Catholic Church, 414 E. Broadway, Montesano. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. A private family inurnment will take place in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.
The family suggests memorials may be made to St. John’s Altar Society, P.O. Box 3027, Elma, WA 98541 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 202, Aberdeen, WA 98520
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen, WA 98520

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