DoDEA Pacific in Social Media
DoDEA Pacific Public Affairs
Unit 35007
APO, AP 96376
DSN: 315-644-5657
From the States: 011-81-6117-44-5657
PublicAffairs@pac.dodea.edu
The DoDEA Pacific Public Affairs Office initiates and manages DoDEA's communications and outreach efforts for the Pacific to include Guam, Japan, Okinawa, South Korea. The office is responsible for media relations, internal information programs and communication with students, parents, teachers, school administrators and the public.
For Immediate Release — January 13, 2011 | Pacific
Charly Hoff : Public Affairs Officer | DSN: 644-5657
Undated photo of Richard Mathis.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — January 13, 2011 — Seoul American High School Special Education Teacher and retired Master Sergeant Richard Mathis, 64, passed away Sunday at Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Mathis attended the University of Maryland, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego and earned a master’s degree.
Upon retiring from the U.S. Army, Mathis began his career with DoDEA in 1999 as a business education teacher at Ansbach High School in Germany. During his tenure there, he served as head of the social committee and led efforts to build school spirit in the community.
In 2004, Mathis transferred to South Korea as a special education teacher at Seoul American Elementary School before joining the SAHS faculty in 2009.
SAHS Principal Richard Schlueter described Mathis as a dedicated, student-centered educator, “Richard always placed his students first. Every one of them is a better person because of his caring and teaching.”
Mathis, with ties to Leesville, La., is survived by his wife Hui Suk Pak, a school-age daughter, two grown children and several grandchildren. Services will be held 5 p.m. Thursday at South Post Chapel on U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan and will be led by the Rev. Robert Marst.