Matzka remembered as 'true champion'

Over the course of about 18 months, Scott Matzka and his family opened up their lives to a documentarian's camera. Doctor's appointments, their morning routine, a family trip to Cardiff, Wales.

Matzka, a former standout hockey player who was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, wanted to raise awareness about the disease and its effects on afflicted families. 

Matzka died Sunday at the age of 40. He is survived by his wife, Catie, daughter, Reese, 9, and son, Owen, 6. 

"There is a reason he was a champion in many different regards. But his best accomplishment was his awesome wife and absolutely amazing children," wrote Kate Voss, a friend of Matzka. "They all have that same look in their eyes. The one that Scotty always had. A unique grit and determination for greatness. And they will succeed. Scotty made sure of that."

Matzka had been an advocate for awareness and research of ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease. Matzka, a Port Huron native, was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. 

Matzka played hockey with the University of Michigan between 1998 and 2001. He played on the 1998 NCAA national championship team. His junior year with the Michigan ice hockey team, he scored 15 goals and 45 points, his most productive season according to a University of Michigan news release. 

"Scott was a great player, tremendous teammate and true champion," head coach Mel Pearson said in a written statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with the Matzka family during this difficult time." 

Dr. Eva Feldman, is the physician who diagnosed Matzka with ALS. Feldman researches ALS and other neurological conditions at the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery at the University of Michigan. She described Matzka as a remarkable patient, saying he remained open to others throughout the course of the disease, when many patients become more introverted. 

"Patients like Scott continue to be a call to action for us as researchers," Feldman said. "He's an inspiration." 

Feldman said she was equally impressed with the strength his family handled his illness. 

"His wife Catie: equally remarkable," Feldman said. "She took superb care of him." 

Voss's business Kate’s Downtown organized an ice bucket challenge in 2016 specifically in support of Matzka. Other community groups such as Woman's Life Chapters 757, 820 and 836, also organized events to support Matzka and the cause over the years. 

"I got involved with advocating cause it’s what you do when a friend needs you," Voss wrote. "With ALS, it’s a death sentence ... so you can’t do much except pour yourself into raising awareness in hopes that another family can avoid the devastation that ALS brings." 

Kate Voss first got to know Scott Matzka through his family. Voss and Scott's sister Laura played tennis together as kids and went on to be close friends. Matzka was away playing hockey often, and Voss said she got to know him better over the past five or so years. 

"I’m very grateful for that time," Voss wrote in a direct message. 

Matzka worked to document his and his family's experience with the condition in the film "My Turn, The Film." The film followed Matzka, his wife and their children through doctor visits, family vacations and the daily realities of dealing with ALS. "My Turn, The Film," premiered at Sperry's Moviehouse in June 2018. 

READ: Scott Matzka documentary 'My Turn, The Film' coming to Sperry's Moviehouse in June

He also founded My Turn 4 ALS, an organization that holds fundraisers and boosted awareness about ALS. 

"To say he will be missed is to drastically minimize what the loss of this extraordinary man represents. Instead we remain grateful to have lived, loved and laughed with him," read a post by the Scott Matzka - MyTurn4ALS Facebook page. "His magnetism was unparalleled, and to be in his presence was to witness grace, dedication and loyalty."

For more information about MyTurn 4 ALS, visit scottmatzka.com