Matthew Bartolich

Chances are, you know a funny story about Matthew, known as Matt to most, and you can’t help but crack a smile. Whether he was telling a joke, pulling a prank on someone – favorite targets in his youth being his younger brother and sister – or just interjecting one of his clever, witty comments, you couldn’t help but laugh.  You also didn’t need to know that he graduated number one in his class from the Kansas City, KS, police academy and was its top marksman, was one of the nation’s elite in Judo from the age of 7-13, dominating the Midwest region, qualifying for the nationals virtually every year, usually finishing in the top five and finishing third at the YMCA Nationals in New Orleans in 1972, had also earned a black belt in Tai Kwan Do, or earned a spot in the Army’s elite Special Forces, to know Matt had many unique and special talents.

For those closest to him, you knew Matt was an onion. Peel back the layers and you’d see a highly intelligent, caring, complicated, fierce, kind, proud, competitive, and passionate man. Whether it was the adolescent Matt taking down the first American to (eventually) win an Olympic medal at the Judo nationals, or many years later the police officer Matt chasing taking down a suspect while a ferocious dog had his teeth buried into his leg, Matt was a fighter. Yet, his wife, Cindy, speaks of the compassionate, selfless Matt, who often gave to others when he had virtually nothing of his own to give. She also mentions that not a day went by that Matt didn’t miss or speak of his children and the concern, love and pride he had for them. And if you ever had the opportunity to engage Matt in a conversation about politics, sports, world events, or if you could have been a fly on the wall during one of his doctor’s appointments, you were no doubt drawn to his intelligence, thoughtfulness, insightfulness and colorful opinions.
There were times when Matt may have seemed overly protective. However Matt’s experience with the Police Force and Military made him aware of dangers that lurk about. His utmost concern was to empower friends and those he loved with the ability to protect themselves.
None of this should come as a surprise because Matt was born in Alliance, Ohio, and raised with a strong Midwest work ethic in Kansas City and Lexington, Mo., where he graduated from high school in 1980. And while he spent the last few years of his life facing his toughest competitors ever, multiple orthopedic injuries which he sustained in the line of duty, a diseased Pancreas and Diabetes, rest assured Matt fought like no other to his final breath.
Be at peace that Matt is in the presence of God, probably instructing the Arc Angels in proper Judo technique. He is once again standing next to his father, Rudy, and he’s smiling down on all his friends and family, including his wife Cindy, his children Zachary and Ali, his mother, Joni, his sister Stacy, his brother, Kurt, and his beloved cats, Bear and Dreyfus. And when you look up to the Heavens in remembrance of him, smile back, because Matt is finally at peace.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 11:00 am at Antioch Family Worship Center, 5201 Antioch, Overland Park, Kansas, interment to follow at 2:30 pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery.  If you’d like to pay tribute to Matt, in lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the American Diabetes Association in his name. Log on to www.diabetes.org and click on the “Memorial Donation” tab at the bottom of the page.
 
 

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