January 10, 1970 – October 22, 2026

Some people leave behind memories. Others leave behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, love, and a few questionable decisions that still make everyone shake their heads and smile. Matthew Bernard Schaar, affectionately known as MattCHEW, Daddy, and Papa, was definitely the latter.

Born on January 10, 1970, in West Allis, Wisconsin, Matt made his way to Texas at just two and a half years old. He was baptized at a young age, beginning a life that would be filled with love, laughter, and more than a little mischief.

To know Matt was to love him, and to love him was to understand that sarcasm was practically his second language. He was spunky, stubborn in the best (and sometimes most frustrating) ways, and could make just about anyone laugh, even when they didn’t feel like smiling. He had a comeback for everything, a joke for every occasion, and absolutely no problem telling you exactly what he thought.

But underneath all that sarcasm was one of the biggest hearts anyone could ever have.

Matt was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back without thinking twice. If you needed help, he was there. If something was broken, he’d figure out how to fix it. And if you were having a bad day, he’d probably make some smart remark before finding a way to make it better.

His hands were rarely still. Whether he was under the hood of a hot rod, turning a wrench, or picking up a guitar, Matt was happiest doing the things he loved. He had a passion for cars, music, and making something out of nothing. Grease on his hands, a guitar in his lap, and a dad joke ready to go — that was Matt.

But above everything else, Matt’s greatest legacy was his family.

He was a husband, a son, a father, and a papa. He was the man his family could count on, the one who could make them laugh until their stomachs hurt, and the one whose love was felt even when the words weren’t spoken.

Matt leaves behind his mother, Barbara Madden; his loving wife, Trisha Rieves; his daughters, Brianna Schaar, Lexi Carnes and Shanee Tomlinson; his son, Thomas Schaar; and his grandsons, Br’Keyln Rieves and Declan Carnes. As well as Grandmother, Dorothy Kasten. Uncle, David Kasten & wife Marcy. Cousins, Andrew Kasten, wife, Johanna, daughter, Elizabeth. Cousin, Michael Kasten, wife Stacy & daughters, Claire & Zoe!! He was pre-deceased by his Grandfather, Garry Kasten; Great Uncle Lou; Father, Bernard Schaar.

To his children, he was so much more than their dad. He was a teacher, a protector, a comedian, and a man who taught them that love isn’t always expressed through big speeches. Sometimes it’s shown through fixing something that’s broken, sharing a laugh, or simply being there when it matters most.

To his grandson, he was Papa — a title he wore with pride and a love that will continue long after his time here.

And while cancer may be part of the story of Matt’s life, it will never be the story that defines him.

He will be remembered for the engines he brought back to life, the guitars he played, the laughter he created, the people he helped, and the enormous heart he carried through this world.

The world is going to be a little quieter without his guitar, a little less funny without his smart remarks, and a whole lot different without him in it.

But somewhere, we’d like to think Matt has already found an old hot rod that needs fixing, a guitar that needs playing, and somebody to give a hard time.

Because if there’s one thing we know about Matt, it’s that even heaven isn’t getting him without a little sarcasm.

And if Matt could leave us with one final piece of advice, it would probably be the same thing he always said:

“When life gives you lemons, find the vodka.”

Rest easy, Daddy. Keep the engines running, the guitars playing, and the jokes coming.

You are loved beyond words, and you will be missed beyond measure.