Eugene A. MathewsEngineer in communications, radio, biomedical research, rocket science and aerodynamics
by Artur Zygmont
Eugene Anthony Mathews was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 27, 1920, the son of Eugenia Charytanska and Antoni Przybyla, owners of a furrier business. But business was not to be in his future. A person of many talents, he studied art, management and engineering. His studies earned him a degree in Electrical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic University and, in 1972, an MBA degree from Pepperdine University.
During World War II, Mathews served in the United States Army Air Force, training cadets in the use of avionic equipment and instrumentation. This was to be a harbinger of his future. He quickly established himself as an outstanding engineer in a number of engineering fields and a pioneer in the evolving aerospace industry.
Eugene Mathews came to California in 1955, where he was associated with virtually every major aerospace company. He was a Senior Research Engineer on the technical staff at Rockwell International, where he designed the instrumentation for the B-70 airplane, the Saturn II (2nd stage) and the Saturn Launch Vehicle. Mathews was also on the TRW technical staff. At the California Institute of Technology, he was on Dr. William H. Pickering's staff and worked in biomedical instrumentation, such as EEG, EKG, ballistocardiograph, photocardiograph and Ultrasonic Blood Flow Measurement. He also analyzed data from space probes and took part in the development of the Moon Rover (the credit for the final design which was actually used on the moon goes to another Polish researcher, Dr. Mieczyslaw G. Bekker.) In collaboration with Sperry Rand, Mr. Mathews designed the Sparrow l Missile. He did the design for the Sparrow II Missile Electronics at McDonnell Douglas. At Douglas, he also worked on the ASIA and T-45 (Trainer Airplane) projects and pioneered in the development of the teleconferencing equipment for video and audio communications. At Atlantic Research, Mathews designed aircraft missile launch systems, the Mars 75 Digger and helped to develop the quartz crystal microbalance for the Orbital Telescope Project.
Still, this was not the extent of his engineering prowess. He managed a 38 station microwave network, covering 5,000 square miles, for the Los Angeles County Communications Department. He designed telemetry ground station communication networks and base radio installations for forestry and fire departments.
And so, Eugene Mathews, born Przybyla, was an engineer in communications, radio, biomedical research, rocket science, aerodynamics: all major projects which define the second half of the twentieth century.
Mr. Mathews is listed in Who's Who in Engineering in the U.S.A. and holds a number of patents in the electronic and electro-mechanical fields. He belonged to a number of prestigious organizations: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; IEEB Computer Society; Telecommunications Association; and the American Rocket Society. As a member of Wescon, Mr. Mathews arranged a five mile laser demonstration in 1962 between the Los Angeles Statler Hilton Hotel and the Sports Arena.
He wrote for publication about many of his interests, including ballistocardiograph data analysis, spacecraft tape recorders and semantic techniques.
Notwithstanding his professional career, Mathews never forgot his Polish roots, in which he was ably supported by his wife Laura (nee Kozlowska). Together they belonged to the Polish National Alliance. They were very active in the Our Lady of the Bright Mount parish in Los Angeles where Mr. Mathews used his artistic skills to do calligraphy and art and design work for the church posters, leaflets and brochures. He was a commander in the Pulaski American Legion Post 562 and one of the founders of the Polish Credit Union POLAM, where he was a director for 10 years. The Mathews have two children, Veragene and John. Eugene Mathews died August 14,1989.
From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.
Eugene A. Mathews (Przybyla)Scientist / engineer
Born Chicago, IL, Dec. 27, 1920; (deceased: Aug, 14, 1989), married Laura J.; children: Veragene Millican, John Alan.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Poly Technical Institute of Brooklyn, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Pepperdine, 1972, Art Institute, Chicago, business administration, Wright College, Northwestern University.
Career and achievements: Managed 38 station microwave network; designed telemetry ground stations data communication networks and base radio installations, Forestry and Fire Departments; coordinated experimental teleconferencing equipment for video and audio communications between Long Beach, St. Louis and Arizona; designed aircraft missile launcn systems, missile electrical ordnance and test systems; electrical design Mars 75 Digger, the Quartz Crystal Microbalance for orbital Telescope Project; designed and developed the mach 3 angle-of-attack flight instrumentation system for the B-70; design work on the Saturn SII (2nd stage) Saturn Launch vehicle for Apollo missions; at California Institute of Technology, member of Dr. William H. Pickering's staff; designed Sparrow l, Air-to-Air missile, electrical and hydraulic test equipment.
Author: Contributor of articles: "Ballistocardiograph Data Analysis," "Analysis of Spacecraft Tape Recorder / Playback Systems," "Assessing Cultural Impact on New Industrial Acceptance"
Military: World War II, U.S. Army.
Member of: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEB Computer Society, Telecommunications Association, American Rocket Society, California State University Library Associations, Southern California Professional Engineers Association, founder / director Polish American Federal Credit Union (POLAM FCU), Commander Pulaski Post 562, American Legion, Toastmasters International #3, Lions CIub of Belmont Shore, Polish National Alliance (PNA).
From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.