Matthew (Matt) Alvarez, aged 39, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Wheaton, IL surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 26, 1986 in Evergreen Park to Luis and Norma Barbara Alvarez, Matt brought an undeniable light, energy, and warmth into the world from the very beginning. He grew up in Evergreen Park and graduated high school from Mount Carmel High School, where he earned the nickname Puma for his stealthy baseball playing. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. All along the way, he fostered lifelong friendships.

Matt’s greatest joy and proudest achievement was, without a doubt, his family. He was a deeply devoted husband to Elizabeth Alvarez, with whom they shared nearly 11 beautiful years of marriage and countless adventures. Together, they brought two wonderful children into the world: Adalyn and Isabel. As a father, Matt was patient, playful, and fiercely loving—never missing an event and always teaching by example how to live life with compassion, resilience, strength, and curiosity.

Professionally, Matt worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Fermilab and was deeply respected, admired, and genuinely loved by everyone who had the privilege of working with him. Among Matt's many accomplishments, his leadership in developing the electrostatic septum for the Mu2e resonant extraction system stands as one of his greatest engineering achievements. As lead engineer, he played the central role in designing and delivering one of the project's most technically demanding components. The system required the successful integration of ultra-high electric fields, ultra-high vacuum, and extremely high mechanical precision within a very compact space. Matt's persistence, creativity, and engineering excellence were instrumental in overcoming these challenges. The successful commissioning of the system and delivery of beam to the experiment represent a significant milestone for Fermilab's scientific mission and a lasting testament to his work. While Matt's technical accomplishments were extraordinary, it was his character that left the deepest impression. His optimism, enthusiasm, and positive outlook remain an inspiration to those around him. Matt's legacy extends far beyond the engineering systems he designed. It lives on in the colleagues he mentored, the friendships he built, and the collaborative spirit he fostered throughout Fermilab.

Outside of work, Matt lived life to the fullest. Whether he was hiking, cooking his favorite Filipino dishes, or problem solving the next house project, he approached every day with a thirst for learning and a vibrant spirit. Fostering a love of the outdoors in his children, he especially treasured roadtripping with his family to various National Parks. His time with us was far too short, but the depth of the love he shared and the impact he left on everyone who knew him will endure forever.

Matt is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth; his cherished children, Adalyn and Isabel; his father, Luis Alvarez; his siblings, Marylou Alvarez and Kim (Erick) Carrasco; his nieces and nephew, Lucy, Emma and Andrew; and a large, loving circle of extended family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Barbara Alvarez, and grandparents, Constancia Tinio and Vincente Cardones, Olga Mendoza, and Luis Garay Alvarez.

At this time, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Matt’s name to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org/).