It has been months since his passing, but I still think of him.
-Jackie's Friend Ali

ICARUS INCARNATE In memoriam Matt Bowes, St. Anselm's '06 Clothed in Samite,Ablaze in unblinking Sun, The best and brightest of our hopes, young and fearless,process toward the light, our hecatomb. Ancients quaked in holy dread Perceiving Envy in the gods.As good an answer then as now To loved ones frozen in dispair. We,Unenvied, apotheosis denied, Sit among the generations,Warm withered bodies round hearth fires Pondering the rashness of the young. Coddling decaying frames We bargain churlishly with Death for one more day. Memories of loss, dreams denied, Temper subversive Hope but cannot still the whisper Per aspera ad astra. Tony O'Keefe St. Anselm's '55

I met Matt at a number of Mars Society Conventions. I was so impressed by him. I sat next to Matt and his father during the 2002 Banquet dinner at the Boulder event. I am very sorry for his passing. I thought he had what it takes to land on Mars. Such a loss for all and his family.

We have been torn apart by this whole thing. Having two boys younger than Matt, but very similar, it just breaks our hearts to think of the pain to loose them, as well as the pain our good friends Bear & Julia and their other children are having to go through! We had the blessing of hosting Matt for a couple days before and after his swimming camp at the Univ. of Arizona. He was such a "gentleman" and gracious person. Our boys were instantly awed by his confidence and charm! We only hope & pray that our boys turn out to be so confident and humble at the same time!

Our sincere prayers go out to the whole family. We will continue to pray for all of you!

Go with God, Matt.

I'm a former St. Anselm's parent who met Matt at a school function about four years ago. He went out of his way to introduce himself as a friend of my son, and we spent some time talking together. He was such a bright and enthusiastic individual and completely at ease in speaking to people of all ages. My deepest sympathies to the wonderful family that nurtured such a fine young man. This world will be a poorer place without Matt.

I am saddened to hear of Matt’s passing.

He was a big supporter of our efforts and I certainly was happy to take care of any requests he had. His enthusiasm was more powerful than electricity when it came through the phone or E-mail.

If there were many more who shared his deep passion for the dream of spaceflight, we would be walking on Mars tomorrow.

My condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

Chris Reed
Publicist, Bigelow Aerospace

Matt will always fly.

Even if he has to build his own wings.

So very sad to lose such a bright light. My heartfelt sympathies to Matt's family and friends. I was a fan of his blog spaceliberates.us and met him in May at ISDC, then again when he was interning at Masten Space in Mojave. The world is different because he was here and it won't be the same without him.

My sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Matt.

I never met Matt in person, although I did make contact with him through his blog.

He will be missed tremendously. :-(

RIP

My condolences and prayers for the family and for Matthew.

We met Matt this year at a space conference. He was such a bright star, full of vibrant life, intelligence and charisma. It is a terrible shame that his life was cut short. On behalf of the National Space Society, we extend our deepest sympathies to Matt's family and friends.

I met Matt briefly this past summer. He was an enthusiastic space case and his loss is all of our loss. Congrats to the family for raising a good kid and he will be remembered.

My deepest condolences for this terrible loss.

Everyone at Masten Space Systems is shocked and saddened to hear about Matt. He worked with us this summer as an intern and shared our passion for space and for opening it up to everyone. Matt's viewpoint on spaceliberates.us was also a recent but widely read addition to the space blogger community.

He just made it to space before the rest of us. God's speed, Matt.

Ad Astra Per Libertas!

Matt was one of my best friends back in middle school from 6th through 8th grade, and even though we hadn't talked in a long while, I was deeply affected when I heard of his death. He was one of the smartest, most spontaneous, most outgoing people I ever met, and he is a part of many of my fondest memories from my time at St. Anselm's. He always kept everyone laughing, from his friends to his teachers, with his crazy sense of humor. There was never really a dull moment with Matt. We used to do a lot of mischevious things together, which included making our own hangout spot in the woods below the parking lot at school, an area that was definitely off limits for students. We called it "The Pond", and there really wasn't much to it besides a puddle of rainwater and the rebellious feeling that came with knowing we were breaking the rules. We used to go there when we were bored at lunch and just joke around and pass the time, just a couple of hyperactive kids trying to make things exciting at an all boys school. Matt certainly always found a way to keep things exciting for himself and everyone around him. I met the Bowes family on a couple occasions in my middle school days, and I cannot imagine what you all are going through, but I would just like to say that you and your son are in my prayers and I hope you can take solace in the fact that your son was a wonderful person whose friendship will always have an effect on me.

I've known Matt Bowes for 8 years, and went to school with him since 6th grade. He's the smartest person I've ever met in my life. I remember the times from 6th grade to 9th grade when we'd take the metro home and everyday he'd argue politics with people. He lived life to the fullest and didn't waste a moment. To his family.....I send my deepest condolences. Matt's dreams and goals were beyond anyone's. From living forever with robot parts, to colonizing Mars, I hope there will be people around that will makes those dreams come true.

I was very sad to hear about Matt's passing. We had grown apart since high school began, but back in middle school we were kind of close. I have two vivid memories of Matt. One was when he punched me, and rightly so, in the face during the first couple of months of of sixth grade. The other one was when Matt and I got off at every Metro stop from Fort Totten to Metro Center and prank called 1-800 Dentists. Our spree eventually ended when we saw that the operator had called the Metro police and that they were waiting to apprehend us at the next stop. Matt was one of the smartest and most determined people I have ever met, and it is a really huge loss for all of us that he was taken so early.

I am very sorry for your loss. I went to St. Anselm's with Matt from 7th to 10th grade. We had a ton of classes together and were constantly together outside of class either playing sports at lunch or just hanging out after school. Matt was on the the smartest and most unique people I have ever met in my life. One of my most vivid memories of my time with Matt was sneaking back into the woods behind the tennis courts with Matt at lunch. We used to go back there almost every day with a few other guys. Unlike other groups of friends that went back there to smoke or with other nefarious and stereotypically teenager reasons in mind, we never did any of that. We built an entire shack under a fallen tree using a car back seat that we found in the road and other assorted items that we either brought from home or scavenged. I suppose this place served as an escape and retreat from the rigarous curriculum of high school. Matt, myself and Chris Hendricks explored the entire campus of St. Anselms, mapped it, found countless artifacts from our predecessors who had explored it before us, and generally had a great time. I will never forget the passion, enthusiasm and curiosity with which Matt lived his life. Matt was a true friend and will always be remembered. As was his dream, I hope he is still the first man on mars.

With deepest sympathy and condolences on the loss of a wonderful and extremely talented young man. Who will be truly missed by any one who was lucky enough to have come in contact with him.

Love

Mike & Suzie LaMonda

To the Family and Friends of Matthew:

May the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comfort you during this time of sorrow.

Sincerely,

Michael G. Caruso
Archdiocese of Washington

We feel fortunate to have known Matt. May his wonderful qualities of compassion and strength be with you as you need them.

All our best,

formerly of OGC and Bethesda,

I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I am so very sorry and saddened to hear of Matt's death. My son David Adams was a classmate of Matt at St Anselm's. I know this has a deep impact on him. Know that I'm thinking of you all at this time.