Matthew Deane Tittle

Reverend Dr. Matthew (Matt) Deane Tittle died on June 26, 2018 of a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of 56. Matt was a beloved husband to Gail (Camp) Tittle and father to Alex and Sophie. Matt’s life touched many through his generous spirit, humor, intelligence, and openness, even sharing his last months’ journey through his illness with a large following of family, friends, colleagues, former congregants, and acquaintances who followed his writings. Matt was born in Portsmouth, VA to his career Navy father, Harold Edwin (Ed) Tittle, and mother, Phyllis Deane Harper (Tittle) Alcorn. He had two siblings, Jayne and Mark, both deceased, as is his father. Matt grew up in Charleston, SC, where he graduated from high school, attended Governor’s School of South Carolina (1978), and performed in several theatrical productions with the Dock Street Theater. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Matt was commissioned as a Naval Officer and spent 11 years on active duty, retiring from the Reserves after 20 years of service in Surface Warfare and Intelligence. An accomplished academician, Matt received a Master’s degree in National Security Affairs-Soviet Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master’s degree (Teaching of Russian) and PhD (Educational Psychology) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He also received his Master’s of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Seminary. He became a Unitarian Universalist minister in 2004 and served congregations in Houston, TX, Paramus, NJ, and Auckland, New Zealand. He was also an educator, a marathon runner (14) and Ironman, and writer. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign on July 10 at 5:30 p.m. Donations can be made to the American Brain Tumor Association or the Unitarian Universalist Association.

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