Reese and Owen Matzka Education Fund
Donation protected
Current and Former Student Athletes of the University of Michigan,
Members of the University of Michigan’s 1998 National Championship Ice Hockey Team recently reached out to me about their collective desire to financially assist the family of Scott Matzka, a ’98 teammate that passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Scott passed away in December of 2018 at the age of 40. Scott left behind his wife, Catie, a daughter, Reese (9), and a son, Owen (7). Rather than limiting the fundraising effort solely to the Michigan hockey community, the 1998 team has decided to include all current and former student athletes of the University of Michigan.
I am a friend of Catie and had the privilege of being a friend of Scott. I came to know Scott through Catie, as Catie and I worked together at Greenleaf Trust. Scott and Catie selected Greenleaf Trust to assist with their financial planning needs, and I work as Catie’s financial advisor. In 2017, Catie and Scott accepted my offer to help ensure all of their financial affairs were in order. Scott had done a wonderful job organizing and planning. However, we were able to assist with some planning and true to form, Scott wanted to ensure that his family had a trustworthy organization to help with financial matters after his passing.
The 1998 UM Ice Hockey team has established a goal to raise $200,000 for future higher educational expenses for Reese and Owen. In addition to the amount already set aside for higher educational expenses, if $200,000 were raised, undergraduate expenses for Reese and Owen would be fully funded.
Shortly after Scott was diagnosed with ALS, Catie and Scott established an LLC, the Matzka Family Benefit Fund to accept gifts from generous supporters like you. All contributions will be routed to the Matzka Family Benefit Fund account. Your support can be made by:
1. Through the GoFundMe account established here:
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/reese-and-owen-matzka-education-fund
2. Making checks payable to Greenleaf Trust and writing "Matzka Benefit Fund" in the memo line. You can mail checks to:
Greenleaf Trust
Attn. Andrew Riker
211 South Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
I have been amazed by the strong bond that I have witnessed in the Michigan athletic community and thank you in advance for your consideration of helping. Your commitment to help is both heartwarming and commendable. Should you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help address them.
Sincerely,
Andrew L. Riker
Andrew L. Riker, CFP®, CTFA
Vice President
Senior Wealth Management Advisor
Greenleaf Trust
211 South Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-553-6945
Members of the University of Michigan’s 1998 National Championship Ice Hockey Team recently reached out to me about their collective desire to financially assist the family of Scott Matzka, a ’98 teammate that passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Scott passed away in December of 2018 at the age of 40. Scott left behind his wife, Catie, a daughter, Reese (9), and a son, Owen (7). Rather than limiting the fundraising effort solely to the Michigan hockey community, the 1998 team has decided to include all current and former student athletes of the University of Michigan.
I am a friend of Catie and had the privilege of being a friend of Scott. I came to know Scott through Catie, as Catie and I worked together at Greenleaf Trust. Scott and Catie selected Greenleaf Trust to assist with their financial planning needs, and I work as Catie’s financial advisor. In 2017, Catie and Scott accepted my offer to help ensure all of their financial affairs were in order. Scott had done a wonderful job organizing and planning. However, we were able to assist with some planning and true to form, Scott wanted to ensure that his family had a trustworthy organization to help with financial matters after his passing.
The 1998 UM Ice Hockey team has established a goal to raise $200,000 for future higher educational expenses for Reese and Owen. In addition to the amount already set aside for higher educational expenses, if $200,000 were raised, undergraduate expenses for Reese and Owen would be fully funded.
Shortly after Scott was diagnosed with ALS, Catie and Scott established an LLC, the Matzka Family Benefit Fund to accept gifts from generous supporters like you. All contributions will be routed to the Matzka Family Benefit Fund account. Your support can be made by:
1. Through the GoFundMe account established here:
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/reese-and-owen-matzka-education-fund
2. Making checks payable to Greenleaf Trust and writing "Matzka Benefit Fund" in the memo line. You can mail checks to:
Greenleaf Trust
Attn. Andrew Riker
211 South Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
I have been amazed by the strong bond that I have witnessed in the Michigan athletic community and thank you in advance for your consideration of helping. Your commitment to help is both heartwarming and commendable. Should you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help address them.
Sincerely,
Andrew L. Riker
Andrew L. Riker, CFP®, CTFA
Vice President
Senior Wealth Management Advisor
Greenleaf Trust
211 South Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-553-6945
Organizer and beneficiary
Kevin Magnuson
Organizer
Kalamazoo, MI
Caroline Matzka
Beneficiary
