David Warner Matthews of Leesburg, VA passed away unexpectedly on June 17, 2018.  He was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on October 1, 1938 to Ruth and Glenn Matthews, the second of five children.

David studied physics at Case University and Western Maryland College before joining the Army as a communications engineer in 1960. He was stationed in England for three years with the Royal Signal Corps, where he met the love of his life, Christa Schlaepfer of Trogen, Switzerland. They married in 1963. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army and return to the United States, David worked in numerous engineering and managerial positions with communications companies including Satellite Business Systems and Comsat, which took him around the world until his retirement in 2003.

He was a practical, honorable and patient man who believed in hard work, doing the right thing, and caring for his family above all. He was a frequent traveler with a contagious sense of adventure, an avid reader of history and the classics, and an astute observer of the world around him. He was adored by his friends and large family for his kindness, generosity, and sense of fun, as well as his wit, sly sense of humor and keen intelligence. He approached life with positive enthusiasm and accommodated graciously the whims of his wife, children and grandchildren. He found great joy in small pleasures, enjoying nothing more than a meal lovingly prepared at home, a glass of wine, and a bite of chocolate cake.

He is survived by his wife Christa, daughters Alexandra (Paul) Towell and Caroline Wade; his grandchildren Avery Steen, Claire Steen, Selena Wade, Cameron Towell and Laura Towell; siblings Jack Matthews, Roger Matthews, Susan Epstein and Amy Matthews; and a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.