Matthew Robert Teears

Matthew (Matt) Robert Teears, age 31, of Spokane Valley, WA, passed away suddenly and tragically on November 15, 2022, after a prolonged struggle with mental health issues and addiction.  The life changes and isolation imposed by Covid restrictions seemed causative in his relapse and subsequent mental health crisis leading to his death.

Matthew was born in Boise, ID, on March 28, 1991.  He was adopted by his always loving and caring parents, Robert J. and Magdalene A. Teears, shortly after his birth.  He was a 2009 graduate of Boise High School and then attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA, for one year. He subsequently moved to the Spokane area in 2013.  He graduated from Spokane Community College in 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in the fields of electronics engineering, computer and data communications, and avionics. 

Matt then became a full time employee at Itron in Liberty Lake, WA, as an electrical engineer technician. As of January 1, 2022 he was promoted to electrical engineer. He was lacking only one class to complete his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University.  During his 5 years of employment there he did amazing work and developed many skills with an ever expanding knowledge base.  He was highly respected for his quick and brilliant mind and his ability to get difficult tasks completed. He completely committed to anything he was doing.  He threw himself into work and school projects and found innovative eloquent solutions.  While there, he developed many friendships. Matt was very involved in the Itron clubs.  He started the drone racing group, did Ham radio, and the Ping-Pong tournament. His smile and positive attitude will be missed.  A special thank you to Tim Eklund at Itron who was not only his mentor, but a person who became family to Matt. 

Matt had many talents and interests, and excelled at most.  In his youth he was on both ski and swim teams, and won many awards for his musical ability and piano expertise.  He loved water in both solid and liquid forms as he was an expert skier and adored the ocean. He enjoyed many family trips to Maui where, at the age of 12, he earned his first of several SCUBA diving certifications.  He was a ham radio operator and licensed drone operator.  He also enjoyed beer making, target shooting, playing billiards, Ping-Pong, and Frisbee golf.  He could tell you the technical data on most anything he was truly interested in.  A friend once described him as a “starburst” because of the bright colors he loved to wear and his “mind blowing ideas”. He was a truly awesome person with whom to spend time and conversation.  He was most definitely a shining star that saw its end long before its time.  His family will feel the emptiness of his loss until the afterlife brings them together once again.

At a height of 6’5” he was truly a gentle giant.  He was “soft inside” and had a kind, loving, and generous heart.  He loved all furry animals, especially cats and dogs.  As a child, he would bring home a part of his treats given at school to share with his family.  He loved his blankie and teddies into adulthood.

He is survived by his parents Robert and Magdalene Teears, sister Laurel Teears, Aunts Elizabeth Horste (Mark) and Colleen Teears, and numerous cousins.  He was preceded in death by his Uncles Lucian Egrid and Gary Teears. 

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 21st at 12:00 p.m. with a luncheon to follow at Crane Creek Country Club, 500 W Curling Dr, Boise, ID 83702  (1-208-514-4310).

Memorial donations in Matthew’s name may be made to Frontier Behavioral Health Spokane, WA on their donations website page.

Please share your memories of Matthew on his tribute wall.