Matt Leydens, Steve Kitchen's former partner and Matt Leyden's Dive Shop owner, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife holding his hand on Tuesday, March, 27th, 2020.  He was instrumental in advancing the dive community here in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Matt certified too many student to count and also certified many instructors and dive masters, including our very own, Steve Kitchen, Chris White, and Terry Orr! Matt loved diving and did so until the age of 88. In his 60+ years of diving he was afforded the opportunity to dive all over the world! The dive community will miss him dearly.  
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made as the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing the kind of send off he would have wanted. He enjoyed being surrounded by lots of friends and family, and loved a good party, so his family has elected to wait until we can safely get together and celebrate his life. We will post funeral arrangements as soon as they become available! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones he leaves behind to carry his memory and his legacy. 
See you in the water Matt!
STC Dive Center

STC Dive Center would like to extend a great big thank you to all of our helpers with the I Tried SCUBA events this summer at camp Mitigwa! We truly could not have done it without you. Many of the scouts said it was their favorite thing about camp this year! You were wonderful with the kids and helped create memories that will last a lifetime for all that were involved. 
Thank you
Eric Christensen
Mike Timmins
Eric Goodhue
Theunis Van Aardt