Dick Mattson loved Zubaz pants, Captain Black tobacco in his pipe and Gophers sports teams. Not necessarily in that order.
As Gophers equipment manager for nearly five decades, the man known as Matty became a beloved character who provided colleagues a vault of tales, some too colorful for print.
Mattson died last week at age 73 and one of his last requests was that nobody wears formal attire to his funeral on Wednesday. And so his friend delivering the eulogy plans to wear shorts. A pallbearer is wearing Zubaz.
"He would be very disappointed if people wore a shirt and tie," said former co-worker Todd Stroessner, who will handle the eulogy.
Mattson was a legend inside the Bierman athletic complex, serving as equipment manager for 48 years, including 32 seasons with the football program. His title didn't come close to capturing the many roles he held. He was a father figure, counselor, motivator, boss and above all else, a cheerleader for athletics.
"He was the ultimate Gopher," said John Blackshear, one of many former student managers.
Ultimate character, too. Everyone who knew him has a story.
"If you knew Matty," former co-worker Harry Broadfoot said, "life wasn't going to be boring."