By Cynthia Beaudette of the Muscatine Journal

Matthew Seligman

By Cynthia Beaudette of the Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa – As Vicki Boss prepared for another day with her fifth-grade class at McKinley Elementary Thursday, Dec. 2, she knew the coming hours would be difficult. The children would be expecting their usual visit from MuscatineHigh School junior Matthew Seligman, the young man who had been their volunteer reading buddy since the beginning of the school year.

But Boss had learned that this young man, who she trusted and admired, had died suddenly the night before of natural causes. Boss said Matthew, 17, came to her class twice a week a little before 8 a.m., to read with students before school started and she knew she could depend on him.

“He was a positive role model, and wonderful with the children,” said Boss. “And if he couldn’t come, he’d always notify me.” Beth Hetzler, an MHS teacher who acts as a liaison for the Reading Buddies program, said she received a very positive evaluation from Boss concerning Matthew’s volunteer service. But she learned more about Matthew’s dedication to the program the morning after his death when she called Boss to tell her Matthew would not be making his usual visit. “I wanted to make sure she knew before those kids got there,” said Hetzler. But Boss had already learned the sad news from Matthew’s mother, Kim Seligman, who called Boss and told her what had happened.

“That shows the parents’ respect for responsibility,” said Hetzler. For Kim, that phone call was something she could still do for her son, who had often told her how much he enjoyed being a reading buddy. Kim said she was pleased when Matthew told her he wanted to join the reading program. “He wanted to give back to the community,” said Kim. “I said, ‘Matt, you don’t realize the impact you’re having on these young lives,’” Kim said Friday afternoon.

Boss said the kind smile and helpful spirit Matthew Seligman shared with his reading buddies at McKinley will be greatly missed.

“It leaves a big hole here,” Boss said, said Friday morning. “I told them about Matthew yesterday and we’ve had several conversations.”

Kim said she and her husband, Brian, understood that Matthew, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes shortly before he turned 6, would always struggle with his health, but that battle didn’t prevent Matthew from enjoying a full life.

“He was a normal kid,” said Kim. “He just needed insulin.” Matthew played football for the MHS Muskies and worked at the Geneva Country Club. In previous years, he and his brother Sam, 14, delivered papers for the Muscatine Journal. He also attended church at First Baptist and Evangelical Free Church.

“He was a very strong young man,” said Kim. “But we always knew as parents, that with that ugly of a disease, it was slowly destroying his body.” Kim said she last spoke with her son before she left her home Wednesday “Before I left I called down the staircase and said ‘I love you,’” said Kim. “He said, ‘I love you too.’”

Kim said her son was joking with her that morning and was in good spirits. The family found he had passed away later that day. The Seligmans will not know exactly what caused Matt’s death until an autopsy is completed over the next couple weeks because juvenile diabetes is a complex disease that creates a variety of complications.

News of Matthew’s death has brought sadness to people throughout the community and among his peers. An e-mail issued by MHS principal Chuck Van Hecke and the high school staff Thursday morning reflected their collective grief. “We are sorry to send this tragic news about one of our own,” the e-mail said.

According to the message, most of the staff and students learned the news Thursday morning. “This morning the faculty met to develop a plan to help all of us cope with this sad event,” Van Hecke said in the announcement. “There will be special support assistance available for any student or staff member who feels they need the service.” The e-mail states that counselors were available in the student services department all day Thursday.

Kim said her family has been comforted by the kind words and acts of people throughout the community in response to Matthew’s death. “The outpouring of love and support we’ve received is unbelievable,” said Kim. “We just feel the warmth of the community.” And Kim said the reassurance that their Matt is in heaven is also helping her family deal with their sadness. “He walked the walk,” Kim said of Matthew’s demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ. “We’re very proud of our boy.” Contact Cynthia Beaudette at: 563-263-2331 Ext. 323 or

Stephanie Oien

News Assistant

Muscatine Journal

563-263-2331 ext. 348