Alamo, CA Matt Modersbach passed away at home after increasing medical issues finally ended his brave and inspiring life.
He was 53.
On July 8, 1980 when Matt was 8 years old, he was struck by a truck and suffered massive head and bodily injuries. He was rushed to the nearest hospital which happened to be Kaiser in Walnut Creek. In his care there his life was literally saved, but he would face years of future medical treatment and rehabilitation. On his release five months later, the hospital dubbed him “little miracle Matthew.”
In the following years, Matt participated in rehabilitation and special education classes and began 45 years of a life of constant loving care provided daily by his devoted parents Kim and Bud Modersbach and his family and friends. Matt traveled extensively with his mom and dad, visiting Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, England and of course trips and cruises to Mexico.
Matt had a special charisma about him throughout his entire life. Before his accident he had artistic talents and was an exceptional athlete, scoring countless competitive swimming ribbons and, as his Dad remembers, executed an unassisted double play at age 8 in an LMYA baseball playoff game.
Nearly thirty years ago, Matt began his daily life at the George Miller Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Concord, CA. The years that followed enabled Matt to participate in programs and activities that kept him fully engaged in daily life. His family is grateful for the George Miller staff for their love of Matt and for all they doatthe Center. Hats off toyou from all of us!
Throughout his life, Matt somehow touched every person who knew or met him. As a child, he was a genuinely friendly person who made friends with all. In his post-accident life, Matt inspired everyone he knew with his gentle nature, his smile and eyes, his resilience and his life force. Every person who met Matt, whether they were his medical providers, friends, or people on the streets, travels and restaurants, was inspired by him and will continue to remember Matt. People clearly and immediately saw in Matt the truly living, loving person he was.
The Modersbach family offers our heartfelt thanks to the many friends everywhere who have supported and loved Matt throughout his life, and who have reached out to us during the past days.
Matt is survived by his loving parents, Bud and Cam Modersbach, his brothers Chris, David and Mark, and his Caregiver, Mike Miller. Plans for Matt’s Celebration of Life are under way. The family requests any donations in Matt’s memory be made to the George Miller Center East, 3020 Grant Street, Concord CA 94520.