Robert Mathog, M.D., a member of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center’s Head and Neck Oncology Multidisciplinary Team, and the the longtime chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, passed away. Dr. Mathog died Friday, Oct. 10 at Harper University Hospital. He was 75.
He served as professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at WSU since 1977. He also was chief of Otolaryngology at Harper and Detroit Receiving hospitals from 1977 to 2007.
“Robert Mathog established a world-wide reputation in cancer, facial trauma and rehabilitative surgery,” said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos. “He was a pioneer in helping those who faced head and neck cancers restore normality to their daily functioning and hope after surviving particularly traumatic sorts of cancer. We appreciate his enormous contributions to the field and we will miss him greatly.”
Dr. Mathog published more than 200 papers and chapters in scientific journals and books on issues ranging from vestibular function, otology, swallowing, scar revision, facial fractures, craniofacial reconstruction for cancer, regional flaps for head and neck surgery, and post-traumatic deformities. He is well known for his books, “Textbook of Maxillofacial Trauma,” “Atlas of Craniofacial Trauma” and “Mathog’s Atlas of Craniofacial Trauma.”
In addition to making tremendous contributions to head and neck oncology, Dr. Mathog also was a devoted supporter of the Lions Club International’s efforts to fight hearing loss. He served as president and chair of the Board of the Lions Hearing Center of Michigan (Lions Hearing Center of Southeastern Michigan) since 2000. He also worked tirelessly to raise funding to support the Lions’ efforts.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Deena, and the entire Mathog family.