Matthew Llewellyn Rutt was born on February 23rd, 1959 at Kadlec in Richland, Washington to parents Frederick Rutt, Jr. and Mable Rutt.  His childhood was filled with love as he was adored by his family and he did many different activities including the Boy Scouts.  When he was 5 years old, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  He would battle this disease over the course of his life, but he never let the disease prevent him from living his life how he wanted.  In his adolescence, he attended Richland High School where he would graduate in 1977.  The grades he received in high school were good enough to earn him multiple full-ride scholarships from various colleges.  His next step was to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1981.  While at Whitman, Matthew played rugby for his college and was left with many excellent stories and impressive scars.  Matthew then went to Gonzaga University’s law school in Spokane, Washington.  In 1985, he graduated from law school, passed his bar exam, and began his career as an attorney.

His career as an attorney would last for approximately 35 years.  During that time, he practiced many different types of law including criminal law, immigration law, environmental law, and more.  Out of all the law he practiced, criminal law was his most practiced.  In total, he represented thousands of local Tri-Citians over his many years of service to our community as a defense attorney.  He took pride in ensuring that the people he represented got great representation and had the help they needed in those difficult times.  

Working as an attorney led him to many different spots in Washington, such as the small town of Colfax, Washington.  He wasn’t there long, but he was there just long enough to meet the love of his life, Barabara Lynn Rutt.  Barbara was a school teacher in Colfax and the two were set up on a blind date by Matthew’s legal secretary at the time.  They hit it off immediately and were married shortly thereafter on June 1st, 1991.  Their marriage was loving and kind.  After four years of marriage, they had their only child, Matthew Frederick Rutt on May 3rd, 1995.  His son meant the world to him, and he would have done anything for him.  He loved his family and would have done anything for them.  

On April 11th, 2008, Barbara passed away unexpectedly and entirely too early.  He and his surviving family were left devastated, but his devotion to his son pushed him forward.  As a new widower, he bore the burden of raising his child alone.  Just as he had overcome many obstacles in his life, he overcame that burden as well.  He poured his heart and soul into ensuring his son had everything he needed to be successful.  Matthew leaves behind a legacy of strength in the face of overwhelming adversity that will inspire his family for generations.  A fighter until the end.

Matthew passed away on Friday, February 7th in Richland, Washington.  He lived in Richland for most of his life.  He is survived by his son, Matthew Frederick, his daughter-in-law, Martha Rutt, his sister, Mollie Rutt, his mother, Mable Rutt, and numerous nephews and nieces.  Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Rutt and his wife, Barbara Rutt.  A celebration of his life will be held at Einan’s Events at Sunset located at 915 Bypass Hwy bldg i, Richland, WA 99352 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22nd.  For those who wish to participate, a viewing will be held Friday, February 21st at Einans at Sunset Funeral Home located at 915 Bypass Hwy bldg h, Richland, WA 99352 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  He will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Benton City, WA next to his wife, Barbara.