Matthew Sollender

10/18/1952 — 12/21/2018

From Richland, WA | Born in Brewster, WA

Matthew Sollender

Matthew (Matt) J Sollender died at age 66 on December 21, 2018 under the care of the Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick WA.

Born in Brewster, WA in 1952 he was the son of Myles J and Edna Pryor Sollender. He was preceded in death by Myles, Edna and his sister MaryAnne Sollender.

After attending Bridgeport High School he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a tank crewman during the Viet Nam War era. 

In 1991 he married Carol Finnigan and so joined the extended family of Nancy & Jerry Finnigan of Richland, WA. His new in-laws were quick to admire his gentle giant demeanor as well as his screwball sense of humor. More gradually they came to appreciate some of Matt’s long held attitudes toward life and business.

Though a skeptical and reluctant user of miniaturized electronic technologies he was masterful and tireless in his application of the heavy mechanical technologies of internal combustion engines, gear boxes, hydraulic lines and tachometers. In much lighter culinary matters his preferences were unmistakable: chicken and dumplings during the winter, shrimp salad during the summer. 

Around that same time Matt formed a small business, ChemRad, devoted to earth moving, excavation and farming projects around the Tri-Cities. He found a particularly valuable business partner in his youngest sister in-law who proved to be as adept at operating a backhoe as she was at compiling a financial spreadsheet.

When not operating or maintaining ChemRad’s heavy machinery Matt could usually be found fishing, listening to baseball games on the radio, or playing jazz guitar with fellow local musicians.

He is survived by his wife Carol Sollender of Richland, WA; daughter Jessie Miera and her husband Matt of Kirkland, WA; grandchildren Josslyn and Elias Miera of Kirkland, WA; niece Breanna Sollender of Bridgeport, WA and his nephew Michael McGrath of Olympia, WA. 

Memorial services will be held at the Bridgeport, WA Cemetery at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 with a reception to follow at the American Legion in Brewster, WA. 

Guestbook for

Matthew Sollender

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

PUBLIC ENTRY

Your guestbook entry will be visible to the public.

  • Thinking of you , again. this morning Matthew. Heard one of our favorite Bob Seger tunes on my way in to work, then while watching a cute dog-tore-apart-the -house video, an ad for Carharts came on – definitely a sign that you were looking out for me today. I really take comfort in knowing that I can feel you around me, watching over me. We all miss you so much. Your grandson Eli is just amazing, and I am so sorry that you aren’t here to do all the Grandpa things you would love to share with him. Jessie sent me a clip of him playing with a small loader, moving dirt from place to place –you would be so proud – she is an amazing your lady- but you already knew that.
    I love you and miss you more than I can put into words. I will always have a hole in my heart than will never be filled. You be good, and keep watching down on Carol and I , OK ? We need you.

    Janny
    September 27, 2019
    Kennewick
  • Woke up this morning and you were the first thing on my mind – not the first time and I’m sure not the last. Have to call Matt with a Curtis story – then my heart breaks all over again because I can’t just pick up my phone and hear your voice and your wonderful laugh. I have so many great memories of you and all the fun we had over the years, but so far time is not healing the pain. So- for your Curtis story – I had asked him to help me with a few “handy-man things around the house – he arrived on a day we had not planned on, I was in bed with migraine, and he just let himself in the back sliding glass door ! You and he are the ONLY men that Bruno would not eat upon walking into my house unannounced. I knew that would make your day . I just can’t believe that you aren’t here with us – I feel as though my heart will forever have a huge hole in it that cannot heal. I love you and miss you so so much. Carol is having a really tough time coping without you. I hope you can know how much we all love you and miss you, my Matt.

    Janny
    August 30, 2019
  • Good Morning to you my dear Matthew — so, with Lynard Skynard and Bad Company coming to the area, they are playing a ton of their music – and have a contest running to win tickets. Every time I hear them talk about it I envision you and I there – with all the oldies like us having a great time. I miss you so much. I think of you every single day. We are having your Military Honors Service this Saturday in your favorite place – Bridgeport / Brewster. Your super -efficient daughter has handled all the details, of course. When I get up to talk about you, I could take up everyone’s time in telling stories about you and how you affected my life. I love you and miss you, my wonderful sweet Matt. You have no idea how much you are missed by all of us. We are struggling to get along without you. Carol is hanging in there, but losing you just shattered so many people. I’ll bet you didn’t know how many people adored you, did you ? Love you Matt – you are always on my mind.

    Janny
    April 29, 2019
  • Good Morning to you my dear Matthew — so, with Lynard Skynard and Bad Company coming to the area, they are playing a ton of their music – and have a contest running to win tickets. Every time I hear them talk about it I envision you and I there – with all the oldies like us having a great time. I miss you so much. I think of you every single day. We are having your Military Honors Service this Saturday in your favorite place – Bridgeport / Brewster. Your super -efficient daughter has handled all the details, of course. When I get up to talk about you, I could take up everyone’s time in telling stories about you and how you affected my life. I love you and miss you, my wonderful sweet Matt. You have no idea how much you are missed by all of us. We are struggling to get along without you. Carol is hanging in there, but losing you just shattered so many people. I’ll bet you didn’t know how many people adored you, did you ? Love you Matt – you are always on my mind.

    Janny
    April 29, 2019
  • Call Now Button