Gary Douglas Mather

Highly respected business leader and philanthropist Gary Douglas Mather passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, November 10, 2024 at his home in McLean, VA. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague whose intellect, foresight, and generosity made a lasting impact on many.

Gary Mather was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School and received Ph.D. and B.E.E. degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and E.E. and M.S. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Gary served in the Army after graduation.

Following his military service, Gary joined the global consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. During his 43-year career there, Gary made significant contributions to firm’s success. He was President of the Worldwide Technology sector, participated as a member of the firm’s Board, and eventually retired as a Senior Vice President Emeritus. As president of Booz Allen’s Washington operation, he changed the focus of the company from weapons programs to integrator of computer and communications systems.

Gary led the firm’s business with the Army, Internal Revenue Service, NASA, and Air Force. He was instrumental in moving the company headquarters from Bethesda, MD to McLean, VA. He implemented a competitive business development model coined “Leave No Stone Unturned” in pursuit of competitive contracts for the firm. This work still serves as a template for success for the firm today in procuring numerous very large contracts for BAH. He was a well-respected mentor and nurtured future leaders in the company.

In addition to his business interests, Gary was passionate about philanthropy. He brought leadership expertise as a Board member to the Inova Health Foundation, Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, and Ford’s Theater. He also was an honorary Board member of Washington Performing Arts.

After receiving proton therapy in Baltimore, he recognized the need for a proton therapy center in Northern Virginia. He generously established the Mather Proton Center at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute. Gary and his wife, Christina (Tina), established the Fund for Under-Resourced Youth at the Kennedy Center, and contributed to the REACH expansion. In recognition, the Kennedy Center named them Distinguished Benefactors of the Performing Arts. Likewise, he contributed generously to the Campaign for Wolf Trap: Our Next Chapter for their expansion. Their philanthropy has reached far and wide — always focused on the underprivileged, the arts, health, and education.

Gary had an insatiable curiosity. His brilliant mind could conjure up every scenario and angle whether it be on the topics of reasoning and consciousness, microbiology, genetics, quantum physics, music, or current events. He was an incessant reader and an accomplished classical guitarist who spent hours every day practicing diligently. He was an avid concert goer and sports car enthusiast. Golfing and traveling with Tina and friends were a source of relaxation and camaraderie.

Gary is pre-deceased by his parents Irene and Herbert Mather. He is survived by his wife, Christina Co Mather, sons Christopher (Anne) and Michael, and stepdaughter Kristen Hensley (Drew), and four grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Center for Education at Wolf Trap on December 7 at 11a.m. immediately followed by a reception at Wolf Trap. After the reception Gary will be entombed at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington.

In lieu of cards or flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s name to benefit A Place to Be, Inova Foundation https://foundation.inova.org/ Wolf Trap https://www.wolftrap.org/, or Washington Performing Arts. https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/