The work of Clement Mathews can be seen in the skylines of cities and the corridors of art museums.
But he wasn't an architect or painter.
Mr. Mathews managed steel companies that constructed iconic buildings and art museums in Pittsburgh, New York, Cleveland, Fort Worth and elsewhere around the country.
“He really loved his work,” said his wife, Lula Mathews.
Clement Russell Mathews died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Golden Living Center in Mt. Lebanon. He was 80.
Mr. Mathews grew up in Cecil, where his father taught him to work hard, his wife said. His early jobs were strenuous, such as laying brick while he was in high school, his wife said.
The Virginia Military Institute taught him discipline. Mr. Mathews graduated in 1956 with a degree in civil engineering. After serving in the Air Force in Shreveport, La., he found work at Fort Pitt Bridge and Iron.
Mr. Mathews later managed Pittsburgh's Levinson Steel, along with General Steel, Mosher Steel and Trinity Industries in Texas and Kelley Steel Erectors Inc., in Cleveland.
He worked on Fifth Avenue Place in Downtown and the foundation and base of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Mr. Mathews oversaw renovations of the New York subway system, Chicago O'Hare Airport and the Menil Collection, an art museum in Fort Worth. In Cleveland, he worked on projects at the Cleveland Clinic and the most recent addition to the Cleveland Museum of Art, his wife said.
His work in Pittsburgh on Fifth Avenue Place held a special place among his achievements, his wife said — not only for what he built, but for what it replaced.
“We all remember Jenkins Arcade,” Lula Mathews said, recalling the retail building that was razed in 1984 to make way for Fifth Avenue Place.
Mr. Mathews retired three years ago and left Cleveland to return to Pittsburgh. When he wasn't working, he spent time in his gardens, growing daylilies and roses. Work in the garden calmed him, his wife said. His strawberries often ended up as jam.
“Nothing ever tastes as good as that,” his wife said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Mathews is survived by his children, Patricia Bessios of Shadyside and Russell Mathews of Arlington Heights, Ill.; his sister, Ardis Mock, of Export; two grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Beinhauer Family Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road in Peters. A blessing will be held at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery, 3739 Washington Road in Peters.