Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, June 3: Dr Vitthal Tonse Pai (86), a senior ENT surgeon and prominent member of the Tonse Pai family of Manipal, passed away on May 31 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.

He is survived by his sons Deepak Pai and Sunil Pai, daughter-in-law Rekha D Pai, and grandchildren Priyanka Pai and Meghana Pai.

Dr Vitthal Pai was the son of Purushotham Ananth Pai (P A Pai), elder brother of Dr T M A Pai, and Sundari Bai. He initially resided at Mukund Nivas in Udupi and later moved to Manipal upon the advice of his uncle Upendra Pai, where he lived with him.

Dr Pai earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, in 1961 and married Geetha Pai in 1965. He completed his internship at Girard Medical Center in Philadelphia, pursued surgical residency at St Joseph’s Hospital, and then specialised in otolaryngology (ENT – ear, nose, and throat) at Brown University / Rhode Island Hospital.

He later established a specialised ENT clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he served until his retirement in 2017. Notably, he was the only practising ENT specialist across a wide region of southern New Mexico, a rare distinction.

Known for his compassionate and patient-centric approach, Dr Pai was deeply committed to his practice. “He treated every patient who walked into the clinic—even on weekends—without judging their financial status,” shared family sources.

He often responded to emergency calls and made house visits when needed, which earned him widespread affection and respect. After retirement, he settled in Albuquerque.

Dr Pai was a member of the Memorial Medical Centre, the Multidisciplinary Tumour Board, the Speech Pathology Board, and the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic. He also served on the board of the Bank of Rio Grande and was an assistant professor at both the New Mexico School of Medicine and New Mexico State University.

He provided guidance and support to several Indian immigrants who had relocated to the U.S., helping them settle and grow in their careers. He travelled extensively across the world and was fond of tennis and painting.

A Lasting impact in Manipal

Dr Vitthal Pai left an enduring legacy in Manipal. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Cleft Palate Clinic at the Manipal Hospital many years ago. This clinic focused on cleft lip and palate surgeries and was initially run in collaboration with American medical teams. Dr Pai was instrumental in organising the first such surgery and ensured the clinic would later be independently managed by local doctors.

He was also the first member of the Tonse Pai family to move to the United States, paving the way for future generations.

Dr Pai remains a towering figure of service, compassion, and medical excellence within the Tonse Pai family and the wider community.