Dr Rusie Rustomjee, RIP

The oldest member of the Australian Zoroastrian Association of New South Wales passed away peacefully on October 6, 2011. Born in 1912, he was 98 years of age.

Rustomjee entered Medical College on a full scholarship and went on to become the first Asian FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) of England in ENT (ear, nose and throat) diseases. During World War II he served with the British Armed Forces at the time of the Japanese invasion. He was president of the Ceylon College of Surgeons and held many other prestigious positions. In 1975 he migrated to Australia and worked as an ENT surgeon in the Blue Mountains till his retirement at the age of 89. His medical career spanned an impressive 75 years. He was the doyen of Sri Lankan doctors in Australia. Besides medicine, Rustomjee was also involved in various community projects. He was offered the opportunity to be the first District Governor of Lions International in Sri Lanka but declined due to commitments at his medical practice.

Rusie Rustom-jee: doyen of doctors

Rustomjee’s greatness lay not in the honors and accolades he received but in his kind and gentle nature. All those whose lives he touched admired his kind and selfless ways. He was a man who shunned publicity and respected people regardless of their position, wealth or standing in society. He never spoke unkindly of anyone and a harsh word rarely escaped his lips. What better words to describe this great man who helped thousands with his surgical skills and always remained the most humble, genteel person one could find?

He will be sorely missed not only by his family and the Zoroastrian and Sri Lankan communities but also by the numerous friends and well wishers. He leaves behind his devoted wife Jer (a marriage of 65 glorious and happy years), their three children, Zarine, Tehmi and Jamshed, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Men of his caliber are a rare gift to our community, giants not only in stature but people who stand in our eyes and mind. Rest in peace, Dr Rusie Rustomjee, gone but never forgotten.

MITHI DAVER

Sydney, Australia

mithid@optusnet.com.au