Wallace Edward Mathews, MD, went to his eternal rest on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 with family at his bedside. He was born August 25, 1932 to Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth (Smythe) Mathews in Duluth, MN. After graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1950, he attended the University of Minnesota in Duluth and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology in 1954. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1958. After an internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota from July 1958-1959, he practiced family medicine in Mankato, Minnesota, LaPorte, Indiana and the metropolitan area of Minnesota for 42 years. During his internship, he worked with the St. Paul Police Dept. as a Police Surgeon.

He was very active in organized medicine holding many offices in the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. These included Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Vice Speaker of the House, Speaker of the House, President (1969-70), delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

In addition, Dr. Mathews served the Minnesota Medical Association on the Board of Trustees (1966-1976) serving on the Public Policy Committee, Legislative Committee, Finance Committee, Medical Service Committee, and Committee on Medical Practice and Planning.

In 1968-72, Dr. Mathews served on the American Medical Association (AMA) Speaker’s Bureau and Northland’s Regional Medical Program.

Dr. Mathews ran for and was elected to the Board of Director’s of the American Academy of Family Physicians (1976-79). He served nationally as the Chairman of the Committee on Publications, Chairman of Legislative Commissions and was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also served as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee FDA, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Surgical Procedures, and Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Over the course of his life, he was involved with Toastmaster’s, Sertoma Club, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and served as Blue Earth County Coroner (1960-70). He was one of the physicians instrumental in the establishment of the Department of Family Practice at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also testified in the MN Legislature and the U.S. Congress for funding for Family Practice training programs. He was known to his colleagues and friends as “Lefty” due to his previous experience as a left handed baseball pitcher.

He received many awards during his distinguished career, including the Merit Award from the MN Academy of Family Physicians (1966), WCCO Good Neighbor Award (1966), Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor of North Carolina (1979), and the Distinguished Public Service Award from the MN Academy of Family Physicians (1980).

Dr. Mathews was adamantly pro-life. “I became a doctor to save lives not destroy them.” He treasured the patient-doctor relationship especially in the earlier days of medicine. He was dedicated to the practice of medicine and his patients. They were like family to him. He was a political activist for conservative and Christian causes. After moving to Hot Springs Village, he served on the Cedar Mountain Ambulance Board (2005-2008) as VP (2005-2006) and President (2006-2008). He was an avid golfer but had to slow down in recent years. A connoisseur of all kinds of history, he had a particular interest in non revisionist American history. He loved to travel having a special fondness for Mazatlan, Mexico. His favorite music was polka music especially that by Frankie Yankovic and patriotic music. He enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. He was an avid sports fan especially professional baseball, college hockey, college and professional football and professional golf. Active in the founding and support of the Mankato State Hockey program, their annual Most Valuable Player trophy was named for him.

He and his wife retired to Hot Springs Village, AR in 2001. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved furry friends, Morgan, Jack and Dynamo. Survivors include his wife, Virginia of 30 years, former spouse, Lois Lindgren Mathews of Mankato, MN, 7 children including 5 daughters, Kimberly Forkey and her husband, Chris, of Summerville, SC, Eileen Mathews of Morris Plains, NJ, Kathleen Mathews and her husband, Brad Turner, of Minneapolis, MN, Cynthia Mathews of Bloomington, MN, and Susan Oji of New Brighton, MN; 2 sons, Dr. Samuel Mathews and his wife, Carol, of Little Rock, AR and Dr. Jeffrey Mathews and his wife, Candy, of Gilbert, AZ. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was very proud of his large family and all their many accomplishments.

A private celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Boys Town, disabled veterans programs such as Wounded Warrior Project, the HSV Animal Shelter, or Arkansas Hospice. The family would like to thank the wonderful folks at Arkansas Hospice for their compassion and assistance through this difficult journey.

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