August 13, 1956 – September 26, 2020
Submitted by Noreen Grice
How many of us have been inspired by someone who seems larger than life, almost a superhero of sorts, and who made anything seem possible? I remember visiting the planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science as a kid on school field trips and later with family or friends. One particular man would step into the console, turn on the microphone and like the ringmaster in a circus (but in a serious way) he would bellow “Ladies and Gentlemen Boys and Girls! Welcome to the Charles Hayden Planetarium!” I would get chills every time I heard that voice. The lights dimmed and the stars appeared and that man guided us on a journey of discovery to learn all about constellations so we could find them on our own at home. I never forgot that voice and years later, I would work with him, presenting shows myself in that same planetarium. His name was Matthew Stein.
Matt had told me years ago that he began his career at the Museum of Science as a volunteer at age 13, helping at the Information Desk. By the 1970’s he had joined the planetarium staff as a planetarium presenter. He also organized a Saturday morning astronomy and aeronautics club for kids called “Junior Astronauts.” In 1982, Matt and the club members simulated an Apollo mission in the museum, complete with Apollo capsule and lunar module, while all wearing simulated astronaut suits. One of club members was so inspired by Matt that he combined new interests in science and the military and became an army doctor. Another went on to study engineering and came back to work in the planetarium for a time. But I think there are countless people who were inspired to learn more and become life-long astronomy enthusiasts.
Each year the Museum of Science hosted a Member’s Halloween party. And each year, Matt organized all the costumed children into a parade formation and enthusiastically led that parade up and down the exhibit halls while dressed in a police uniform.
In addition to his planetarium duties, Matt also became the Theater Operations Manager for the Omni Theater in the late 1980’s. Fortunately, the Planetarium and Omni Theaters share a lobby so the commute was quick.
You’d think that Matt must have been pretty tired with all of his museum activities, but he had another job. On his time off, Matt was a member of the Brookline Massachusetts Auxiliary Police. He assisted the community and citizens in need, always with a smile and always with a lending hand. Another planetarium presenter served on the Brookline Auxiliary Police and shared a story with me. She recalled that Matt was on duty one evening and announced over the car radio “the body has been removed from the middle of the street.” This caused a dash of other Auxiliary Police to immediately drive to the scene to assist. Much to everyone’s relief, “the body” was that of a squirrel.
Always enthused, always serious, always larger than life, Matt Stein was one of those people who grabbed your attention. He was kind, polite, charismatic and definitely a character (in a very good way). He inspired children and adults and made the impossible seem possible. We should all be lucky enough to have someone like Matt come into our lives to remind us of the gift we have in inspiring others to reach for the stars and want to learn more.