Mattus, Dr. George Emiel

Dr. George Emiel Mattus, Ph.D., 89, of Spotswood, N.J., formerly of Blacksburg, died Friday, May 16, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, N.J.

Born in Marlborough, Conn., he was raised in New York and for more than 40 years, lived in Blacksburg, before settling in Spotswood in 1994. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II with the United States Army Air Force. Dr. Mattus received his Ph.D. from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and from 1949 until 1984 was a Professor of Horticulture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. During his tenure at VT, he was instrumental in conducting research on controlled atmosphere storage of apples before commercial use in the United States.

He was blessed with many good friends throughout the country and around the world. He enjoyed traveling, and with the exception of Alaska, had visited every state in the nation. He was also an avid storyteller, teacher and mentor to his family, and will be missed dearly.

Predeceased by his first wife, Mary Ann (Tamarkin) Mattus in 1982, he is survived by his wife of 13 years, Sylvia (Freund) Mattus of Spotswood; his children, Martha Mattus of Portland, Ore., Gregory Mattus of Louisville, Miss., and Kathy Mattus of Blacksburg, Va.; his stepchildren, Larry Caplan of Evansville, Ind., David Caplan of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Diane Borowsky of Bridgewater, N.J.; his sister, Ruth Smith of Junction City, Ore., and ; his stepgrandchilden, Joshua, Jessica, Timothy, and Gregory Caplan.

Private funeral arrangements were entrust to Spotswood Funeral Home, 475 Main Street, Spotswood, N.J. To send an email note of condolence please visit www.spotswoodfuneralhome.com.