Dr. Virendra Singh Mathur passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2024. He was 89 years of age.
Virendra was born on March 7, 1935, in Kanpur, India, to Ishwari Prasad and Radhika Rani Mathur. He was the fifth of their six children and the last surviving one. He received his medical degree from King George’s Medical College, in Lucknow, India, in 1956, and completed his residency and specialization in internal medicine by the young age of 25. He then pursued a specialization in cardiology at Harvard University and Tufts University. During this time, he married his dear wife, Nalini, and they returned to India, where he worked at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. They came back to the United States in 1970 and in the following year, they settled down in Houston, where they raised their only child Gaurav.
For more than 60 years, Virendra was privileged to take care of hundreds of patients, who have included heads of states, including President Zail Singh of India; heads of religious organizations; leaders in politics, industry, education, arts and culture; veterans; and many more people from all walks of life. He joined the Baylor College of Medicine and worked at the V.A. Medical Center and finally at St. Luke’s Hospital and Texas Heart Institute. For much of his professional life, he was a key partner in the world-renowned private practice, Hall-Garcia Cardiology Associates.
Virendra was interested not only in patient care but also in research. He helped establish cardiac catheterization labs at several hospitals and helped generate new knowledge in the field of cardiology. He co-authored more than 170 publications and was the first to publish a study in 1974 about the superiority of coronary bypass surgery over conventional treatment. He also carried out experimental studies and published data in 1975 to prove that even after complete blockage of a coronary artery, heart muscle could be partly saved if blood supply could be restored quickly by re-opening the blocked artery. This knowledge helped launch the era of clot busters and later balloon angioplasty and stent therapy, all of which are the cornerstones of treating severe heart disease today.
Virendra was especially passionate about teaching students and training physicians. He helped train over 300 cardiologists and was voted as the outstanding Teacher and Physician at Texas Heart Institute twice. He received over 25 awards in recognition of his professional services, including the ‘Hind Rattan’ (‘Jewel of India’), a top civilian award in India for non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have made outstanding contributions to society. He was one of the first 11 recepients of this award when it was initiated in 1989.
Beyond his profession, Virendra was known for his deep love for and commitment to several communities that he was part of. He was particularly active in the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and the India Culture Center of Houston (ICC). In the latter part of his life, he devoted much of his energy to the establishment and expansion of India House, a community center in Houston. He used to volunteer every Saturday morning at the charity medical clinic there, which is now named after him in his honor.
Last but not least, Virendra held his large circle of family members and friends very close to his heart and will be deeply missed by them. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 58 years, Nalini; his son Gaurav and son-in-law Gaurav Arora; two grandchildren, Taran and Raunak; many nieces and nephews, including those in the United States (Apurva and Rashmi of Dallas and Vandana and Shankar of Boston); and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Toward the end, Virendra received vital support from Dilcia Gullen and Camila Umalzor of Care and Comfort Home Health, for which the family is immensely grateful.
Virendra has made an impact on this world in many ways, and his legacy of commitment, generosity and kindness will live on for a long time.
Services:
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Viewing: 1:00 pm -2:00 pm
Funeral Service: 2:00 pm
All held at Sugar Land Mortuary
Please join us via livestreaming at 2:00 pm
I just came across this heartbreaking email news, and my heart is heavy with sorrow. The loss of our beloved mentor, guide, and kind-hearted soul, Dr. Mathur, is deeply painful. I had the privilege of working closely with him for many years, and he was not just a professional mentor & colleague but also a guardian to me in Houston for over a decade. He treated me with the love and care of a father, and I will forever cherish those memories.
May God grant him peace and eternal rest. I can’t hold my tears!
With a sorrowful heart,
Dr. Zakir Topon
Virendra Uncle was one of those uncles that was inspirational to my generation that was the first to grow up in the US. He was intelligent and successful and also very involved in building a strong Indian community. I’m Sadgati! 🙏🏼
A well respected visionary leader of the Indian community in Houston,Texas. We miss him very much.
We will always cherish your memory and the legacy you are leaving behind!
The loss of the head of family is difficult to bear. But feeling content that Virendra chacha lived a long fulfilling life with extraordinary achivement and selfless attitude and the desire to help one and all leaves us in his basking glory and gives us a sense of pride in his achievements. May God grant peace to his soul and give us the strength to follow his legacy of selfless love and give back to the society.
Dr. Mathur was one of the first people we met when we moved to Houston in ‘79. Has been extremely kind, helpful in so many ways in professional, social & personal advice & guidance. We will miss him. Nalini, may God give you strength to bear this loss. Wish could be there.
Uncle will be missed. He welcomed us when we moved to Houston in 2007 and to this date was always delighted to see us.
Virendra Mausa was such a good hearted, kind, calm and happy man, that he made being successful look fun and effortless, yet his commitment to his work and in general doing all he could for those around, with the lightest humor was exemplary. He will be dearly missed.
I have known Dr Mathur for over 45 years as a friend and a patient Initially as an escort for patients from India and as a patient since 1982 He guided me and made sure that I follow his strict regimen after my quad bypass in 1982. We still talk about Dr Mathur when I go for my check up.
I had the honor of working for Dr. Mathur. He was the most caring doctor & individual that I have ever known. He was selfless. He will me missed by all.
An icon and a celebrity of Indian American Community who was a world renowned Cardiologist who touched many lives will be remembered for his legacy of compassion and philanthropy. We will miss him. May the Almighty bless his soul with everlasting peace, Our sympathy and sincere condolences to Nalini ji and the famil.
Raj & Kanwal Bhalla
Dr Sahib was an amazing person. He was always there to help any one and everyone. He made sure to acknowledged your presence. He was an inspiration to all. He will always be missed. Om Shaniti.
Respectfully Mini & Anil
Very sad to know . It is big loss to KGMC Alumni.
Om Shanti Om
Very sad to learn Dr. Mathur’s passing away. He was a great scholar and outstanding cardiologist. A great mentor. May his soul rest in peace. 👍
Heartfelt condolences to Naliniji.
Kamlesh & Surendra Varma
He was well respected and dedicated to the cause of building India house. We definitely miss him. May GOD grant his soul rest in peace in his heavenly abode and give strength to his family to bear his departure.
Dr. Mathur was well known for his community service especially his dedication to build India House.I pray to Almighty GOD to rest his soul in peace in his heavenly abode and give strength to his family to bear his departure.
I was so saddened to hear about the loss of Dr. Mathur. I pray for strength of the family during this difficult time.
Dr Mathur was an outstanding cardiologist, very well respected very kind. I had the privilege to meet him in Houston and at KGMC . May god give strength to the family
A huge loss for everyone especially KGMU alumni
Avery nice person and equally good physician cardiologist. I had known him for long time even when he was in India at AIIMS. He invited me for lunch here in Houston, God has been very kind and gracious. P.S. Saharia
Loss of a dear friend is hard to bear .
Loved him so much. His presence was so noticeable in any crowd. My most memorable event with him was our trip together to celebrate his 25th anniversary in Vegas!
May his soul Rest In Peace!