Matthew Eric Setlik Obituary

Matthew Eric Setlik, 33, passed away on February 5, 2019 after a short but valiant battle with liver cancer.

Matthew was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on August 20, 1985, the third of four children in his family. He grew up in Lisle, Illinois and attended school in Naperville. He was a bright, funny, talented and exuberant child, adored by his family and friends. He was active in swimming and baseball. He also developed an interest in and appreciation for music, taking piano lessons along with his older sister, Amanda, in addition to being a percussionist in concert band, and later jazz and marching band.

Matt, as he was known to many, graduated from Naperville North High School in 2004 and began studies in Spanish and Business at the University of Kansas. He met many more dear friends while studying at KU. He also studied abroad for a year in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which deepened his love of the country, its language and culture, and further sparked his love of world travel.

After graduating from KU, Matt earned his MBA at EADA (Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración), a prestigious business school in Barcelona, Spain. There he made many more important connections and widened his circle of wonderful friends. After graduating, Matt returned to Barcelona several times to teach an intensive course in sport management - designed by him - to EADA students.

In 2014, Matt moved to Los Angeles to work with Special Olympics in preparation for the 2015 World Games. Special Olympics was an important cause and one close to his heart, as his younger sister, Emily, was born with Down Syndrome when he was a small child and died only a few short months later. One month after moving to California, Matt met the love of his life, Emily, whom he married on December 12, 2015. They settled in Riverside, California, Emily’s hometown. Emily and Matt enjoyed many adventures together, including trips to the Grand Canyon, Spain, Sweden, France and Japan, but their favorite place to spend time together was Disneyland. Emily, who is a teacher, inspired Matt to return to school for an education degree, which is a passion he was pursuing when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was heartbroken to have to take a break from earning his degree due to his illness.

Matt is survived by his wife, Emily Setlik (née Binford), parents Edwin and Mary Setlik, sister Sameera Luthman (David) and nephew Cameron, sister Amanda Setlik Wilson (Michael), parents-in-law Bob and Patty Binford, brother-in-law Bob Binford (Cassie), and countless adoring extended family and friends.

Matt was an endearing, loyal, caring man with a big heart who lived to help and give to others. He is fondly remembered and dearly missed by his family, and also many others whose lives he touched all over the world.

Please consider donating to Special Olympics of Southern California in Matt’s name.