Doug Matthews ’67
Doug Matthews
Doug Matthews ’67 was born to fly.
Influenced by his Air Force pilot father, he entered the Naval Academy with his pilot’s license, flew in and taught others to fly the F-4, launched a successful business leasing commercial aircraft, and has renovated five World War II era planes back to near original condition. His passion for flight extends to the Academy, where he and his wife, Kathy, who is also a pilot, have focused some of their philanthropic efforts on aiding future aviators.
Flying has been a consistent part of Matthews’ journey.
“When I got to high school, I was old enough to fly airplanes, and we lived on an Air Force base with a nice aero club we could join,” he said.
His father urged him to attend the Air Force Academy, but Matthews wanted to attend an eastern school closer to his New Jersey home. He wanted to fly off aircraft carriers, so the Naval Academy won out. Before graduating from the Academy, Matthews sought to commission into the Naval Aviation community. However, a physical revealed 20/25 sight in his right eye. The Navy demanded 20/20.
Ultimately, Matthews saw combat during a year as a gunboat skipper. When he returned to Pensacola, his eyesight was still 20/25. Some of his classmates were serving as Radio Intercept Officers in the backseat of F-4s. They suggested he do the same.
Doug and Kathy Matthews
He took that opportunity and attended United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, also known as Top Gun. Matthews returned for a second tour in Vietnam, this time off an aircraft carrier. He spent 5.5 years in active duty and another five in the Navy Reserve as an instructor.
Matthews’ entrepreneurial endeavors include Interlease, which leases commercial aircraft.
In recent years, Matthews has helped the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation provide the Margin of Excellence that takes the Academy’s leadership development experience from good to great.
Matthews instinctively looked to aid aviation education. He and Kathy established the Matthews Aero Fund, which supports the Test Flight Course in the Aerospace Engineering Department. They furthered their legacy of support to the Academy with a generous estate commitment that will ensure the Matthews Aero Fund uplifts aspiring midshipmen aviators for years to come.
“My heart is with the Aero department,” he said. “The Academy—good, bad or otherwise—was a large part of my life. It contributed to my success in a lot of ways. I wanted to help improve the life of students. I just wanted to make a little difference.”
Doug Matthews' sophisticated philanthropic philosophy is deeply impactful and meaningful for the U.S. Naval Academy. He recognizes the importance of providing annual current funding to use now while also establishing a legacy gift that will support the Brigade of Midshipman into the future.