Dr. (Prof.) US Mathur was an innovative and visionary Head of Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Even long ago, the department was complete with the most modern gadgets to investigate respiratory diseases. During his tenure of headship from 1980 to 1996, the department procured equipment such as a fiberoptic bronchoscope in 1981, body plethysmogram in 1986, diffusion testing in 1986, arterial blood gas (ABG) machine in 1988 along with a couple of spirometers. It was the most sophisticated pulmonary laboratory in the country at that time. Under dynamic leadership of Prof. Mathur, the division served the patients not only from Rajasthan but also from Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi.
For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Prof. Mathur, it is an insanely great honor. His style of working was to trust his subordinates immensely along with encouraging and shaping their talents successfully. He trained scores of great physicians, now practicing not only in India but also in different corners of the World. He was the most passionate friend one could hope for, a motivating force without parallel.
His association with Indian Chest Society was since its inception. He organized first conference of the society in North India in 1985. He had been quite popular in the society. Apart from academics his witty comments used to keep tempers down even during the most stressful situations. For the post of president, he won with great majority.
He was a kind hearted soul. In order to help people suffering from diseases such as asthma he was instrumental in founding Indian Asthma Care Society (IACS) and served the society as founder president. Through IACS, a large number of patients of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were helped.
I knew Prof. Mathur since my medical school days but my first close interaction took place in 1977 during my interview for the post of medical officer in Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). Prof. Mathur was an expert in the RPSC Board. Being 1st year house surgeon, I was asked by chairman of the board, will you quit MD if job is given to you? I said yes. Despite the fact that I was not previously acquainted with him, Prof. Mathur said “needy boy, we should help him.” After couple of days, when I thanked Prof. Mathur in the hospital, he simply said, it was your performance not my help, which mattered.Today when every one is hungry of thanks, it was rare to find simple soul like Prof. Mathur.
Last year when I requested him to write an obituary of late Prof. KJR Murthi, he smiled and asked who will write my obituary? Sir, it will be needed only after long time i.e. several years, we mustn’t even think now, I replied. Unbelievably, I never knew “long time was too short.”
On 30 December 2011, Prof. Mathur had an episode of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism and got admitted but could not be saved despite of brave efforts of all family members. He departed on 22 January 2012 for heavenly abode. Dr. Tulsi Mathur and daughter Dr. Namita Kotia survive him with son-in-law Dr. Amit Kotia and grandchild Arnav Kotia.
All members of Lung India, Indian Chest society and Indian Asthma Care Society pray god to bestow peace to the departed soul.