Article and image courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer
by Robert Moran
G. Diehl Mateer Jr., 84, a champion U.S. squash player from the Main Line who was once featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, died Saturday, Sept. 22, of heart failure at his home in Virginia.
Mr. Mateer graduated from Episcopal Academy in 1946 and from Haverford College in 1950. As a teen, he was a rising star in tennis. But his interest shifted to hardball squash, which he learned at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford.
Mr. Mateer went on to win three U.S. National singles squash championships, two intercollegiate titles, and a record 11 U.S. National doubles championships with five partners. He was the only amateur to win the North American Open twice.
In 1958, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with Henri Salaun, his chief rival during that era. They split six U.S. National championships.
Mr. Mateer was inducted into the US Squash Hall of Fame in 2000.
He worked at the Mateer Co., which his father founded in 1946. The family later sold the company.
Mr. Mateer was married for 41 years to Joan Carver Mateer, whom he met at a dance at the Merion Cricket Club, said his son, Gil. They had five children.
After she died of cancer, he married Ann Eldredge Mateer. He moved to Rectortown, Va., to live with her.
In addition to his wife of 18 years and son, he is survived by a daughter, Carver Severance; sons Diehl 3d, Drew, and Jeff; 14 grandchildren; and a sister.
A memorial service was set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 104 Louella Ave., Wayne.
Contributions in Mr. Mateer’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718.
To fund a tree to be planted in Mr. Mateer’s memory at the Merion Cricket Club, checks may be made out to Carver Severance, 252 Anthony Wayne Dr., Wayne, Pa. 19087.
