Ian Loye Matheson, MD

July 6, 1933 – October 14, 2018

Dr. Ian Loye Matheson was a selfless, loving husband, father, and grandfather whose energetic positivity and laughter was lost to this world on October 14, 2018. He is survived by his wife Eve Matheson, daughters Solveig Ruppel and Tracy Halme, sons-in-law Cory Ruppel and Matt Halme, and grandchildren Tyler Ruppel, Maddy Ruppel, Jane Ruppel, Ian Halme, Morgan Halme, and Campbell Halme. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in England and Canada.

Dr. Matheson was born July 6, 1933 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Donald and Solveig Matheson and had siblings Kent, Don, and Mavis. He obtained his medical training from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario; The Royal College of Surgeons, London, England; Charlotte Memorial Hospital, North Carolina; and Meadowbrook Hospital, Long Island, New York.

The Mathesons moved to Tampa in 1969 where Dr. Matheson established The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Tampa which he ran for over 50 years. Dr. Matheson was a passionate physician who truly cared about his patients’ happiness. Aside from his professional patients, he stitched up friends and family at all times of the day and night – more often than not without charge – so he could help them heal and get them back to enjoying life. He volunteered many hours each month at the Judeo-Christian Clinic in Tampa, helping underserved patients benefit from his expertise. He was a proud member of the Hillsborough County Medical Association, The American College of Surgeons, and was Chairman of the St. Joseph’s Hospital/Baycare Institutional Review Board for 17 years until the time of his passing at 85 years old.

No adventure was too small and was always worth taking. Traversing the world’s continents, searching for a hidden café in Cannes, or having a swim at Weeki Wachee were all of equal interest and importance. He also had the unique ability to put life’s events in proper perspective and always added a positive spin.

He had just finished a vacation to Mykonos, Greece when he became ill while traveling through London, England. He was flown home by his family where he passed peacefully in Tampa, Florida. He believed firmly in the Lord’s words: “Thy Will Be Done.” Dr. Matheson’s family and faith were his true joys in life.

Services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with visitation at 1 p.m. followed by mass at 1:30 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Garden of Memories Cemetery.