Jacob Mathis

1935 - 2015

Jacob Lenhardt Mathis, M.D.

Born in San Francisco to Rose and Jacob Mathis on November 4, 1935, Jacob Lenhardt Mathis passed away in San Francisco on December 20, 2015. As a young child, Jake crossed the Golden Gate Bridge when it opened with his parents and again on the Bridge's 50th anniversary with his family. He was selected by San Francisco to represent them at the World Boy Scout Jamboree in Bad Ischal-Salzburg, Austria and multi-country tour of Europe in 1951. When young, he developed a love of National Parks, having spent time in Yosemite and Hawaii. Following graduation from Lowell High School he got his BA from the University of California Berkeley where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon and the water polo team. Jake graduated from The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. in 1961. Following completion of residencies and fellowships at Walter Reed Army Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia and UCSF School of Medicine, Jake enlisted in the US Army and served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. For his outstanding service he received the Bronze Star among many other commendations from both the US and South Vietnam. A book on Vietnam by UPI and Time-Life photojournalist, Tim Page, was dedicated to Dr. Mathis for his life-saving brain surgery on Mr. Page during the war. Many of Jake's patients in Vietnam, including Mr. Page, and their families visited him in San Francisco after the war where he had established his neurosurgical practice. Jake's experience in Vietnam, along with surviving lymphoma caused by exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam, shaped him as a doctor who vowed to never turn away a patient who could not afford care, treating them all with respect and kindness. He practiced for over 30 years in San Francisco and 5 years in Mississippi. He was Chief of Neurosurgery at several hospitals and was Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at UCSF, as well as teaching at the VA Medical Center. He was a member of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Alpha Omega Alpha and numerous other medical societies and honor societies, receiving many academic awards over his long career. After retiring from neurosurgery, he was a consultant and Qualified Medical Evaluator for the State of California until the time of his death. He enjoyed the symphony, ballet and attended the SF Opera for over 35 years. He was a lifelong scholar and coupled his love of history with visits to historical sites worldwide. Skiing, swimming, hiking and scuba diving were his favorite sports. He was honored by the Boy's Club of SF for performing medical examinations for their summer camping program. He was an Eagle Scout, member of the Guardsmen, 40 year member of the San Francisco Yacht Club and fan of all the SF sports teams. He will be remembered by all the people he encountered for his ever-present smile, his kind, gentle and generous nature and his dedication to his family, friends and patients. He loved animals, particularly his dog, Gemma. He is survived by his wife Patricia Mathis and daughter Dominique Clinton of Kentfield, son Mark Mathis (Janet) and grandchildren Anna and Jack of Chicago, sister Beverly Nicol of Ranier, Oregon, cousins Harry (Mary) Mathis of San Diego and family and friends in the US, Germany, France and Great Britain. A funeral mass was celebrated by Father Lawrence Vadakkan at Saint Patrick's Church in Larkspur on January 9, 2016.