Tucson, Arizona - In Memory of Matthew Hughes Burg 1956 - 2026

Matthew Hughes Burg, 69, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones in Tucson, AZ. Born on October 28, 1956, at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois, he was the eldest son of Lola Ann (Hughes) Burg and Wendell Francis Burg. He welcomed two younger brothers, Andrew and Wendell, Jr. Tragedy struck the family when his father died on June 17, 1963, and Matthew stepped into the role of both big brother, surrogate father, mentor, and steady presence - responsibilities he carried with grace far beyond his years.

He graduated from St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL. After the family relocated to Kansas, he earned a Psychology degree from Pittsburg State University. While in college, Matthew received an Army ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 1979. His active military service took him to Germany and several other posts through 1986, where he rose to the rank of Captain. In 1985 Matt married Regina McAdams and to this union two sons were born, Justin and Eric Burg.

Matthew continued his commitment to public service as a civilian Safety Director for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Louisville, Kentucky District. He volunteered to serve his country during Operation Enduring Freedom, completing tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the American effort to rebuild the infrastructure of those war-torn countries. He often had to endure attacks by insurgents who did not differentiate between civilians and combat support personnel. Later, he returned to uniformed service in the Air Force Reserve as a payload specialist, retiring honorably in 2010.

He retired from his civilian Army Corps of Engineers job in 2016 and married Sherri Rimmer. They relocated to Pahrump, Nevada, drawn by the mountains and desert air. Shortly after arriving, Sherri's health declined and she lost her battle with cancer. In time, Matthew found love again and married André Rowe. Together, they enjoyed seven rich years filled with travel, gardening, and community involvement. Matthew served his county as president of the local Private Well Owners Association and founded the Cigar Club of Pahrump, bringing people together with his characteristic warmth and humor.

Matthew was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2025. Upon learning of the diagnosis, he and André relocated to Tucson to be close to her daughters and families and to seek specialized care. There, surrounded by family and held in love, he completed his earthly journey on March 17, 2026.

Matthew is survived by his wife, André; sons Justin and Eric Burg; brothers Andrew (Farrah) and Wendell (Dorothy); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by stepdaughter Alexis (Aaron) Kahle and daughter Autumn, stepdaughter Angela (Miguel) Rosales and children Maya, Isaac, and Samuel.

His Arizona family embraced him fully, offering comfort, companionship, and care throughout his final months—gifts for which the family is deeply grateful.

The funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 5, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Christopher Parish in Marana, AZ. Interment with military honors will follow at noon at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, also in Marana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or to the building fund for St. Christopher Parish.