Matthew W. Fuchs

Matthew W. Fuchs, of West Allis, age 89, passed away at his cottage up north on Sunday, August 2, 2026, while vacationing with family. Born on December 7, 1936, Matthew lived a long and accomplished life. He leaves behind a true legacy of professionalism and love towards his family.

Matthew (Matt) cherished his time with his loved ones above all else, even with his numerous achievements in life. He loved gathering around a card table for a hand of Sheepshead or a rousing game of Sequence. Outside of cards, some of his favorite places include the Sunset Playhouse, his cottage up north, and sitting down for a good meal at some of his favorite restaurants. Truly, it didn’t matter the activity as long as he was surrounded by friends, family, and those he loved.

Matt was a proud alumnus and influential advocate for the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). With a M.S. in Civil Engineering with a minor in construction management from UW-Milwaukee and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MSOE, Matt leaves a rich legacy as an educator, engineer, construction professional, and leader. In the more than four decades he served at MSOE (1963-2004), he was a professor, Department Chair (1973-2002), and Construction Management Project Director (2002-2004). Not only that, but he founded the original ABCET (Architectural Building, Construction, and Engineering & Technology Department). This paved the way for the current Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department (CAECM Department). With expertise in steel design, financial management, and construction management, he helped shape future generations of engineers and landmark campus projects (including the Kern Center, Alumni Partnership Center, the CC Building, library, and the five-story residence hall).

With his lifetime of contributions, he earned numerous prestigious honors and awards including: an MSOE Honorary Doctorate, the MSOE Alumnus of the Year award, induction into the MSOE Wall of Distinction, the Wisconsin Builder Lifetime Achievement Award, the AIC National Klinger Construction Educator Award, and Fellow status in both the AIC and ASCE/AES.

Outside of his outstanding commitment to MSOE, Matt was part owner of a number of engineering and construction companies. His positions included: Vice President (Total Team Construction), President (Fuchs Engineering & Associates), President (Rhombic-8 Associated Ltd.), COO and Treasurer (3-D-8 Landscaping Inc.), and Vice President (C. Bauman & Associates). He started his career at Crane Manufacturing, All-State Industrial Crane, and Harnischfeger Corporation. Some of his notable projects as an Owner’s Representative include the Greenfield Park Lutheran Church Elevator Addition / ADA upgrade, as well as contributions to the Eiffel Tower renovation for Milwaukee’s Bastille Days.

In his younger years, before his prestigious time in the engineering and construction fields, Matt shared his love of music by playing the accordion in a band with his cousin, Marty. Matt was an avid fisherman, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than sitting on a boat with his family, waiting for a fish to bite, reeling it in, and then preparing a fish fry. Matt was also an avid Packers football fan and continued to play flag football and volleyball late into his 50s.

You could often find Matt home with his family sharing his affections for classic comfort foods like SPAM & Spicy SPAM, canned corn beef hash, Hungarian brats, summer sausage (from the House of Homemade sausage), Braunschweiger, homemade poppyseed cake, and fresh blueberry pie. If there is one thing Matt will be remembered for, outside of his great accomplishments and his love for his family, it was that he was a master of agenda and lists — ensuring everything had a plan and purpose.

Matthew is survived by his sons, William (Lesley) Fuchs and Craig (Jessica) Fuchs; his grandsons, Michael Fuchs (Analisa Mundell-Wachowiak) and Erik (Erika) Fuchs; his great-grand children, Elliot/Scarlet Fuchs and Dahlia Martindale; his brother, Robert (Debbie) Fuchs; his sister, Diane Gihring; and his nieces and nephews, Rob Fuchs, Ellen (Tom) Yedica (nee Gihring), Tim (Lucy Lyon) Gihring, Tom (Jenny) Gihring, and Susan Gihring (Andrew Lusen), in addition to many great-nephews and great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol Fuchs (passed in 2015); his parents, Olga and Matthew Fuchs; and his brothers-in-law, Paul Gihring and Robert Schuetz.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Greenfield Park Lutheran Church, 1236 South 115th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM. A celebration of life will be held at the church immediately following the service. At 4:00 PM a tribute sheepshead hand or two is scheduled for those interested.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Matthew’s honor may be made to the Matthew Fuchs’ Student Award Fund (MSOE CAECM Department) or Greenfield Park Lutheran Church.