Dr. Spencer Mathews

Dr. Spencer Mathews, a dedicated educator, psychologist, and avid chess and sailing enthusiast, passed away peacefully at his home in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on December 10, 2024, at the age of 85.

*Due to the incoming Inclement weather, the memorial service scheduled for this Friday, January 10, 2025 at 3 PM has been postponed, we will update with a new day and time of service after the storm*

Dr. Mathews devoted 37 years of his life to teaching experimental and developmental psychology at Converse College (now Converse University), a career he called "as rewarding a life as I could have hoped for." He served as department chair from 1972 to 1998, and also as Converse’s Athletic Director from 1983 to 1991. Beyond his contributions to Converse, Dr. Mathews served the South Carolina Psychological Association as Secretary and President for 1 year each, and was a valued member of the Spartanburg Regional Hospital Institutional Review Board.

In 1997, during a sabbatical at UCLA with the Lovaas team for Behavioral Early Intervention for Children with Autism, Dr. Mathews gained expertise that he brought back to South Carolina. He developed a course at Converse to train intervention therapists and worked with approximately 20 children and their families in the upstate region between 1998 and 2007.

A lifelong chess aficionado, Dr. Mathews won the South Carolina state chess championship in 1969 and achieved a rare victory against world champion Bobby Fischer during a simultaneous exhibition in 1964. He also organized the U.S. Women’s Chess Championships in Spartanburg in 1989 and 1990.

Dr. Mathews found joy on the water as an accomplished sailor, racing and volunteering with sailing clubs on Lake Norman in North Carolina and Lake Hartwell in Georgia. He served as Commodore and long-time Membership Chairman of the Western Carolina Sailing Club on Lake Hartwell.

His was a life built on service, on education, and on principles of hard work, respect for traditions, loyalty beyond reason, humility, and endless patience. He grew up in Virginia, and lived his life as the very model of a Virginia gentleman. His kind and friendly demeanor and charming wit made him a favorite with students and colleagues, and a joy to his family, who will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his son Blaik, daughter Amberin, former wife Doris, partner Suellen, and brothers Scott and Floyd.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Matthews Episcopal Church Food Pantry, to which Dr. Mathews himself often donated. 

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