Here’s a heartbreaking truth: the world has lost a beacon of selflessness and compassion. Matt Siemer, the 43-year-old leader of a nonprofit that transformed old RVs into mobile health clinics for underserved communities, died in a car crash on December 13 in Central Illinois. His wife, A.J. Barks, remains in intensive care with severe injuries, leaving a community reeling from the loss of a man whose life was defined by his unwavering dedication to others. But here’s where it gets even more poignant: Siemer’s journey wasn’t just about providing healthcare—it was about answering a deeper question: What does it truly mean to be a good person?
Siemer’s lifelong friend, Curtis Bozif, recalls, ‘We’d constantly discuss how to live a life of goodness and ensure our actions leave a lasting impact.’ This philosophy became the cornerstone of Siemer’s work at Mobile Care Chicago, where he started as a volunteer in 2012 after spotting a mobile unit outside his Rogers Park home. His passion quickly led to a role as a grant writer, and by 2018, he was steering the organization as its executive director. Under his leadership, Mobile Care expanded from one unit to four, serving over 3,000 patients annually with a focus on asthma and dental care—a mission deeply personal to Siemer, who battled asthma as a child.
And this is the part most people miss: Siemer’s impact wasn’t just in the numbers; it was in the way he connected with people. His sister, Marissa Siemer, describes him as having ‘magnetic energy’ that made everyone feel seen and valued. ‘He had this incredible ability to make hard work feel joyful,’ adds Kamari Thompson, Mobile Care’s associate executive director. ‘His legacy isn’t just in the clinics—it’s in the smiles and laughter he brought to every challenge.’
But here’s the controversial part: In a world that often measures success by wealth or fame, Siemer’s life challenges us to redefine what truly matters. Was his relentless pursuit of goodness—working 70-hour weeks, volunteering, and fostering deep connections—sustainable? Or did it come at a cost? These questions linger as we grapple with his untimely death.
Beyond his professional achievements, Siemer was a man of simple joys: board games, reading, Frisbee with friends, and walks with Barks and their German shepherd mixes, Korra and Opal. Bozif notes, ‘They were the kind of people who’d go out of their way to say hello to strangers, and their neighborhood adored them.’ Barks, herself the interim executive director of Chicago Women’s Health Center, shares Siemer’s commitment to equity, providing healthcare access to women and trans individuals.
The couple’s tragic accident occurred as they were returning from a vacation, en route to pick up their dogs from family. A GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-and-support-for-aj-and-matt) has been launched to cover Barks’ medical and Siemer’s funeral expenses, a testament to the community’s outpouring of support.
As we reflect on Siemer’s life, one question remains: How can we, in our own ways, embody the selflessness and compassion he so effortlessly demonstrated? A Mass to celebrate his life will be held on January 19 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Florissant, Mo., with a Chicago memorial in the works. But the real memorial? It’s in the lives he touched and the question he leaves us with: What will we do to be good?
Thought-provoking question for you: In a society that often prioritizes personal gain, is Siemer’s model of selflessness scalable? Or is it a rare, inspiring exception? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this conversation alive.
