Overview

• Matzner died Sept. 4 in Palm Springs after a brief illness, according to statements from the film festival and local institutions.
• He rescued the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 1999, chaired it for more than two decades, donated over $12 million, and later served as chairman emeritus.
• Over roughly 40 years in the Coachella Valley, he contributed more than $85 million to nonprofits, supporting institutions such as Eisenhower Health, the McCallum Theatre and the Palm Springs Art Museum.
• He is credited with helping create Measure J, a 1% sales tax that funded a $200 million downtown revitalization and produced about $12 million annually for infrastructure.
• The founder and longtime CEO of CBA Industries is survived by partner Shellie Reade, children Devin and Laura, and grandchildren Elizabeth and Emily, with a memorial service to be announced.