Pete Mataya

Pete Mataya, 84, of Duluth MN passed away at Solvay Hospice House on July 23, 2015, following chronic illness complications. Pete was born in Paulton, IL on September 25, 1930, the son of Croatian immigrants, Eva and Albert. He was a flight engineer in the USAF during the Korean War, where his technical talents were first recognized. He attended the University of Illinois, and continued throughout his life to learn and stay abreast of scientific developments. Pete's desire to work with complex systems led him to Mayo Clinic as its first manager of computer research, where he automated the scoring of the MMPI. His career also included many years with IBM as a computer system architect, developing early network communication protocols that preceded the Internet. Later in life, Pete provided guidance to many adults with barriers to employment, dabbled in real estate sales, and tax preparation.

Pete was always active in his church, serving as President of the Rochester (MN) Area Church Council, taking youth groups to the BWCA, and serving on the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Vestry. In addition, Pete served on the Hartley Nature Center Board, Development Advisory Board for Libraries at Carnegie Mellon University, and was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. He was well known on both the golf course and the ski hill, being a 10 year veteran of the National Ski Patrol and recognized with the Green Merit Star award.

Pete is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mary Ann Ulishney, his children, Carole Mataya of Rochester MN, Darryl (Rebecca) of Mt. Horeb WI, David (Marybeth) of Hudson WI, Dan of Rochester MN, and Lisa (Bruce) Green of Rochester MN, and their mother, Myrna Olsen, of Albuquerque NM. He was so very proud of his grandchildren Becca, Mike, Abby, Nadja, Hunter, Emily, Mirjana, Keriana, Liam, Saifaie, and Dmitri, and his great-grandsons, Myles and Silas. He is also survived by his sister Katherine (Joe) Parton and brother Ralph (Sally) Mataya, sisters-in-law Liz Mataya, Lorene Mataya, Patty (Randy) Gross, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Pete especially enjoyed his grandchildren's, nieces' and nephews' extended summer visits, introducing them to new adventures, new foods, and new jokes.

Pete was predeceased by his siblings Jean Mataya, Caroline Kirkeeng, Karl, Albert, Mike, Flora Whitehurst, Josie Randles, Stefie Norem, Mary Williams, and Anica Kruzic.

A Celebration of Pete's Life will be held on August 21, 2015, 11:30am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1710 E Superior Street, Duluth MN. Memorials are preferred to Pete's favorite organizations: Carnegie Mellon University, Mayo Clinic, and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Carnegie Mellon University - Mataya Ulishney Scholarship Fund
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Mayo Clinic
Development Department
200 First St. SW
Rochester MN 55905

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
PO Box 1776
Williamsburg VA 23187


A block of rooms are reserved at Sheraton Duluth (218-733-5660), ask for the Condo Guest Rate ($99-$119). Additional lodging can be found at VisitDuluth.com

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home Duluth, Minnesota 218-727-3555.