Matthew "Matt" Ryan Hintz
November 23, 2022
Matthew "Matt" Ryan Hintz passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at the age of 46.
Matt was born in Wisconsin to Larry Hintz and Kathleen Hertz Pavelski. While in high school, Matt joined the Army JROTC and continued ROTC at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse while also serving as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. Upon completing college, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country rising to the rank of Major before retiring with 21 years of active service. Matt earned a Master of Business (MBA) degree and an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) degree from Syracuse University. While stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Matt met the Love of his life, his wife Melissa. Matt enjoyed being outdoors, competitive shooting, and taking his children on outings. Most of all though, Matt loved his wife and their three children.
Matt was a kind, passionate, freedom-loving person who cared deeply for his friends and adored his beautiful family. If Matt witnessed an injustice, you would know immediately, and he would not be shy about it. He generously volunteered his time to the community and deeply loved this country.
Matt gave selflessly to the county he loved as he put much energy toward educational reform. He also cared about this nation and his fellow veterans. Matt worked tirelessly for several months to get retired soldiers living in a three-county area around Bragg to remember their oath to God and Country when they joined the military. At that time there were 7900 retirees who lived in the area who didn’t vote. Matt thought the oath still stood and they should register to vote, and he didn’t care for what party, just that they would be doing their civic duty.
Matt leaves behind his wife, Melissa; his children, Ethan, Dylan, and Samantha; his father, Larry Hintz; his mother Kathleen, and her husband, Joe; his brother, Joe Hintz, and his wife, Jennifer; his sister, Jenelle Feltz and her husband, Tyler.
The family will receive friends between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2237 Camp Easter Road, Carthage, NC 28387.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Pleasant Hill Baptist with pastors Allen Mashburn and Gregg Newton.
Matthew was a good and kind man, dedicated to his family and to preserving our freedoms. He put his beliefs into action and worked hard to make our community and our nation a better place. We pray for Melissa and the children and for all those whose lives Matt touched.
Our deepest, sincere condolences to the Hintz Family during this extremely trying time. Matt was a great officer with a huge heart. He will be sorely missed by all who had the honor of meeting him.
Such a beautiful soul and person who will be greatly missed by all.
Amy Pacyna-knitter class of 95
There are no words to express our profound sadness at the sudden loss of our dear friend and neighbor, Matt Hintz. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, Melissa and their children, Ethan, Dylan and Samantha. May the Lord watch over you during this difficult time and help you find peace.
We are shocked and saddened to hear of Matt’s death. Because he wore number 27 with SPASH football the year after our son wore it, I always called him ’27,’ and at that, he always grinned. Thoughtful, friendly and a gentleman, we always looked forward to seeing him and catching up when he got back to Wisconsin.
John and Dori Jury
Stevens Point, WI
A donation pledge to Wounded Warrior Project
My sincere condolences to the family. I had the pleasure of meeting MAJ Hintz while he was temporarily assigned to our G-8 office. We built a report as I was retired Army and was an DOD civilian in the G-8 off, so we shared that commonality. I helped him with a lot within the G-8 while he got settled into the office. He was always a pleasure to talk to and I always loved hearing about his children. He always shined when he talked about his children and family. I know he will leave a huge void.
A donation pledge to Hintz Education Fund