Fishkill resident Matthew J. Sendelbach, 56, died on Wednesday, July 1, after he was struck by a Metro-North train north of the Bank Street crossing in Wappingers Falls, between the Beacon and New Hamburg stations.
As previously reported by Daily Voice, the incident happened a little before 9 p.m., when Metro-North train No. 875 struck Sendelbach, who was not authorized to be on the tracks, according to the MTA. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation found no suspected criminality.
According to his obituary, Sendelbach was a man of great intellect who spread his love of science to those around him.
Born on Feb. 5, 1970, Sendelbach grew up in Centerville, Ohio, where he graduated first in his high school class before earning a bachelor's degree in physics from Cornell University and a master's degree in experimental high-energy physics from the University of Illinois.
While in graduate school, he was recognized as the university's top teaching assistant, a role that reflected what loved ones described as his lifelong gift for making science accessible and exciting to others.
Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, Sendelbach became a respected figure in the semiconductor industry, working for companies including IBM, Nova Measuring Instruments, and Tokyo Electron US before launching MJS Metrology Consulting in 2025.
He also served in leadership roles with SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, including chairing its Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control Conference.
Sendelbach held 26 US patents and authored more than 60 technical publications, his obituary said.
"He was truly a beloved science geek," his family wrote.
Outside of work, family members said he poured that same enthusiasm into raising his five children.
An avid soccer coach, Scout leader, and science enthusiast, Sendelbach helped all three of his sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, enjoyed helping his children with science fair projects, and rarely missed his youngest daughter's ballet performances.
He was also known for his love of Dungeons & Dragons, his trademark "dad jokes," and his knack for creating detailed systems and processes, even mapping out the most efficient route through the grocery store, according to his family.
Former IBM colleague Eric Solecky told Daily Voice that Sendelbach's influence extended far beyond the workplace.
"He was a gifted engineer who always was innovating," Solecky told Daily Voice, adding that his friend helped change his family's life.
"He also guided me on our adoption journey," he said, adding, "He will be sorely missed."
Sendelbach is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Kimberly, their five children, Luke, Anya, Paul, Adam, and Katherine, grandson Taelen, his mother, siblings, and numerous extended family members.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Riverview Funeral Home, 2 Beekman St. in Beacon. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson St. in Fishkill.
Click here to read Sendelbach's full obituary.
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