Memorial

Matthew C. Livengood, 41, of Denver, Colo., formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, May 25, 2012, in Denver. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 16, 11 am, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, where Matt was baptized and confirmed. Family and friends are invited to a Gathering at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, June 15, from 4 to 6 pm. A private family inurnment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Matthew Carl Livengood was born on January 23, 1971, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Dr. Curtis and Beth Jacobs Livengood. He graduated from Washington High School in 1989 and the University of Iowa in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At Iowa he completed graduate coursework in chemistry and biology. Matt worked for telecommunication companies before beginning a career in sporting and recreational management that married his personal and professional lives. Since 2007, he served as a project manager for Specialty Sports Venture, a division of Vail Resorts, operator of specialty sport retail outlets and ski resorts throughout the western United States. Matt loved nature and the beauty that surrounded him in Colorado. He spent most every weekend biking, skiing, hiking, camping, running, rafting or hunting. His favorite places included Argentine Pass – with views of two \"fourteeners,\" Grays and Torreys peaks, the highest points on the Continental Divide – for hiking and camping; Crested Butte for mountain biking in the fall amidst golden aspen leaves; Blue Sky Basin for inbound skiing; Berthoud Pass for backcountry skiing; rural Iowa for pheasant hunting; the Iowa highways and byways navigated during many RAGBRAIs; and Kinnick Stadium. Matt was an avid and fun-loving competitor. He held bragging rights for many events, including the Commando Run, one of the most challenging and best ski tours in Colorado; the Triple Bypass Ride, a 120-mile ride with 10,000 feet of elevation gain; and numerous Pigman Triathalons. On these adventures, he was surrounded by friends and often was accompanied by his beloved Irish setter, Gunnar. Matt was a kind, caring individual with a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious smile. He was committed to family and his many friends and loved having them close to him. Matt created an atmosphere of joy, laughter, kindness and support. He loved children. In Colorado, Matt was a volunteer for Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care and Big City Mountaineers. In Iowa, he gave his time to the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s Rock and Read program and Miracles in Motion. Matt is survived by his parents; sisters, Hilery Livengood and Heather Livengood Bucknell; niece, Liesl Betheny Bucknell; aunts and uncles, Dr. Carroll Sawin, Jay Mitchell, Ruth and Robert Walton, Mary Varner, Kris and Dr. Jeffry Peterson, Peter and Mary Jacobs, Susan and John Hemminger and Rachel and Don Holmquist; cousins Jill Hansen, Mark Thompson, Kristin Welbes, Dr. Paul Sawin, Sarah Thomas, Jay Mitchell, Jill Swenson, Ryan Walton, Morgan Varner, Hayden Varner, John Peterson, Dr. Jill Lightfoot, Kelly Jacobs, Kaitlin Jacobs, Samuel Aden, Madeline Aden and Christopher Holmquist; and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Orville and Evelyn Livengood and Dr. Carl and Lucille Jacobs; three aunts, Lucille Thompson, Marjorie Sawin and Janice Kay Mitchell; and an uncle, Donald Thompson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, where an endowed fund will be established in Matt’s name. This endowment forever will benefit non-profit organizations with missions and programs that reflect Matt’s interests and values. Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com.