The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family is saddened to learn that a member of the DVM Class of 1977, Dr. Robert E. Matus, has died. Dr. Matus passed away at his home in West Oneonta, N.Y., on April 28. He was 71.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Matus went to Indiana University on a diving scholarship before coming to Purdue where he worked as a diving coach to pay for his veterinary education. After earning his DVM degree in 1977, he went into private practice and in 1982 became the head of the Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Clinic at the Animal Medical Center. He served in that capacity until 1992. Dr. Matus also was a founding member of Veterinary Cancer Society and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
Swimming always remained an important part of his life and he also was an avid fisherman.
No visitation or services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are being handled by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, NY. For expressions of sympathy or to sign the guestbook, visit the funeral home website at www.lhpfuneralhome.com. Click here to view the complete obituary.