Matthew Ryan Graham

“Why do something if you cannot have fun doing it?” Such was the mantra by which Matthew (Matt) Ryan Graham (January 6, 1976 – March 15, 2024) lived his life. Matt passed away from complications due from advanced gastric cancer in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife and dog Ruka. Born in Lebanon, PA, to Janet Dressler and the late Paul Graham. Matt attended Annville-Cleona High School where he participated in soccer, school musicals, band, and math club. Matt’s math and science abilities led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Never one to sit and wait for life to happen to him, Matt answered a call of service and living overseas – serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer at Mazengo Secondary School in Dodoma, Tanzania where he taught advanced physics and ran a HIV/AIDS life skills club. When he wasn’t teaching, Matt traveled extensively throughout Tanzania and East Africa – always in search of adventure and opportunities to learn new skills or to gain an understanding of other cultures. It was also in Tanzania that Matt met his wife Tara, a fellow Volunteer. Back in the US Matt earned a second Master’s from UCLA in Urban Planning. A short-term contract to work at the Census Bureau brought Matt to Washington, DC. Matt would eventually become a federal employee and spend his working career at the Census Bureau where he relished the opportunity to think creatively to solve unique problems and strove to make information accessible to the masses. He and Tara married in 2006 and eventually settled in Mount Rainier, MD to raise their daughter Grace. They built a wonderful community of friends and neighbors, hosting events such as Pi(e) Day parties and Apple Butter making. Matt’s interests were many and diverse, and included he and Grace building a scale model of their house out of LEGOs, glass blowing, metal casting, letter press, any number of home improvements, designing tile patterns for a bathroom remodel, creating a custom, coded apple butter paddle, cooking, canning, cultivating native plants, discovering new music, attending concerts, reading, and writing. He was a lover of words – always up to play a game of Scrabble or word-focused game. A long-time DC United season ticket holder, Matt not only attended games, but also kept records of the length of the National Anthem performances and overtime. Matt loved to travel the world to visit friends and to know more of the wonderful planet we inhabit. Matt is preceded in death by his father, Paul Graham. Matt is survived by his mother, Janet Dressler, wife, Tara Graham, daughter, Grace Graham, and his beloved canine companion, Ruka Roho. A Celebration of Life will take place on May 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to RIP Medical Debt.

Matthew Ryan Graham

January 6, 1976 - March 15, 2024