Matthew Romine

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Matthew Dale Romine, age 20, our most beloved son, brother, family member, and friend died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Those who knew Matt lost a shining light in their lives. Matt was happiest when he was outdoors. He loved camping, hiking, skiing, scuba and especially fishing. He also loved animals, particularly our cats Charley and Mittens, and his Sigma Nu brothers at Missouri S&T.

Matt will be missed every day by his father Rob, his mother Joan, his sister Jennifer, his nana Irene, his loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many great friends. We know Matt is now with his grandparents Olga, Melvin, and Dale and is loved here on earth as well as in heaven.

A memorial service and visitation will be held on Saturday, November 23 at Schrader Funeral Home located at 14960 Manchester Rd. in Ballwin, Missouri. The service will be held at 1 pm followed by the visitation from 2-6 pm.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Matt’s name to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org.

Build Me a Son, O Lord (General Douglas MacArthur)

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

18 Comments

  1. Mick, Jack, Robin, and Jana Smith on November 15, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Matt is a light in our lives. We will love him forever.



  2. Cameron Rutledge and Irene Liu on November 15, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    We are grateful to Matt for many good times, fun memories and friendship. We pray for God’s healing presence.



  3. KOH on November 15, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    Stay strong for those who have been left behind



  4. Donald, Lori, Melissa, Joe and Nick Altese on November 16, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    Matt had one of the kindest hearts! I remember when he started a Go Fund Me page for Frau McMahon, the German teacher that he and Nick and all of her students treasured, when she had to stop working to take care of her husband, who had been sick and later died of cancer. He also was on a bowling league with Nick and their friend Kyle, and Matt showed similar kindness and concern for one of the coaches who worked endlessly long hours at the bowling alley. He was a wonderful friend to Nick, and was so generous about giving him rides home from school. I know that Nick has many wonderful memories that go all the way back to their time together at Highcroft! Our family sends you many, many prayers for peace and healing and comfort, and much love.



  5. Casey Goodman on November 16, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    I was close with Matt from elementary school days all the way through the end of high school. Both jobs that I worked at during my high school times were with Matt and he was always a figure of responsibility that I looked up to. I will never forget the memories and the impact this amazing person had on my life and I hope he is in a better place. Rest in peace Matt Romine.



  6. Clarinda Tan on November 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    Matt and I knew each other from when we had the same babysitter all the up through high school when we sat by each other in our US History class. He always knew how to make everyone laugh and he was an amazing light in everyone’s life!



  7. Cari Whiting on November 17, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    My heart aches for you all. Another bright, young soul gone too soon. Matt’s kind heart made an impact on many.



  8. Stacy Wright on November 17, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    I had Matt in fourth grade at Highcroft. He was the sweetest boy. Praying for your family in this difficult time.



  9. Scott Folsom on November 17, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    Matt was a wonderful young man and I’m glad he and my son Kyle we’re friends. He will be missed by all. My heart aches for your family during this difficult time.



  10. Kathy Nunnally on November 18, 2019 at 10:07 am

    Joan, Rob and Jennifer, I have had many people asking me about your situation this past week. It saddens me that you are having to go through such pain and loss. Please know that your Boeing family stands with you to support you at this difficult time. We all wish Matthew peace and rest, and for those left to mourn, we hope that you find your own peace and healing soon.



  11. Kevin Story on November 18, 2019 at 10:35 am

    I want to express my deepest heartfelt sympathy to Matthew’s family. My God’s heart and blessings be bestowed upon you in in this difficult time.
    From the Sigma Alumni
    Kevin Story
    Gamma Xi 1015



  12. Bonnie and Steve Schauwecker on November 19, 2019 at 7:15 am

    Joan, Rob and Jennifer — Bonnie and I wish to extend our profound sympathies to you and all the Romine family as well as our prayers and thoughts for your loss. May the Lord provide you all some comfort and peace during this time.



  13. Rick Kintz on November 19, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Joan, Robby, and Jennifer – I will be praying that the Lord will provide you comfort during this unimaginably sorrowful time, and that you are shown how much you are loved.



  14. Betsy Ferdman on November 20, 2019 at 12:35 am

    I remember Matt from the high school bowling league and memories of my son Thomas hanging out with him Nick, and Kyle at the Altese’s house next door. He was a wonderful young man. My deepest condolences to your family.



  15. Stan & Pam Gent on November 21, 2019 at 7:02 am

    Rob and Joan, Pam and I want to extend our greatest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family for your unimaginable loss and pain which words cannot adequately express and that only those closest to Matt will ever really know.



  16. Lisa Frauens on November 22, 2019 at 9:44 am

    Dear Joan, Rob, and Jennifer, Please know that your Phi Beta Chi sisters are holding you all in our hearts and in our prayers. We can’t imagine the pain you must be feeling. We love you very much. Peace be with you!



  17. Cheryl Valek on November 22, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    Dear Joan, Rob, and Jennifer,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Words can not express my sorrow for the loss of such a young life.
    Phi Beta Chi sister Cheryl Valek



  18. Glorie Romine on November 11, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    I miss my cousin. Not a single day has passed where you haven’t been on my mind. I was happiest when we were all kids hbearunning around Nana’s house and filling our hours with vhs movies, playing shark and minnows, burrying our time acapsule, playing rock and recording the latest super cousins. Hiding in the office together telling eachother our Christmas gifts, fishing and going out to uncle virgils land with our dads. You changed my life forever the day you died. Nothing will ever be the same, even if our family was growing apart in the previous few years. I’ll always Iove you.



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