Indian American scientist, activist passes away

Dr Sam Bathena of Wheaton, Maryland, a popular communist activist in the Washington, DC area, died in March while on a visit to India.

Mumbai-born Dr Bathena, founding member of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Inc and past president of both the Association of Indians in America, Washington, DC chapter, and the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America, experienced acute abdominal pain in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and was rushed to Mumbai for treatment.

He succumbed to an infection cause by intestinal rupture, with his wife of 33 years Pauru Kias by his side.

Dr Bathena, who lost his father at age four, attended the J N Petit School for Boys in Pune and always spoke fondly of his school days as not only giving him a first-class education but also instilling in him a commitment to the Parsi community and general community service.

He arrived in the United States in 1970 with a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Bombay, and kick-started a distinguished 35 year career in human nutrition and biochemistry with a stint as a post-doctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After serving as a visiting scientist at the NIH, a researcher in the Veteran's Administration Hospital and an associate professor at Georgetown University, he joined the Department of Agriculture in 1980, retiring in 2006 as the Lead Scientist in the Metabolism and Nutrient Interaction Laboratory.

During these stints, he made major contributions to research in insulin-receptor binding, neurotransmitter-receptors, and the beneficial effects of soy proteins, flavones, hytoestrogens, and flaxseed, and was the recipient of numerous awards, including Scientist of the Year on two occasions.

Dr Usha Kumar, president, AIA, told India Abroad that while Dr Bathena and his wife had no children of their own, "So many in the community were their children because we all went to them for help and advice, including me, and their home would always be open to us".

Dr Kumar, who described Dr Bathena as dear friend, advisor and mentor, said, "For Sam, there were five passions: Pauru, biochemistry, the Zoroastrian Association, AIA and the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America. Even after his tenure as president in these associations, he would always volunteer in all of its activities. Anyone who would say, 'Sambhai, can you help me?' would become his cause".

"A father-figure to us all, he put up with our faults, forgave our mistakes and selflessly helped us not only with our various organisations and associations, but in every way we needed him. He was such a brilliant biochemist and was always willing to recognise and announce the achievements of others, but would always decline to receive any publicity for himself".

Dr Soma Kumar, retired professor of chemistry at Georgetown University, and Dr Gajendra Shroff, vice president, AIA, were among those paying tribute. "He will always be remembered for his cheerful and helpful nature. As a past president of AIA and as an active member, his selfless and dedicated service was largely responsible for the successes of the AIA, especially the annual health fairs. He was instrumental in running these fairs which continue to deliver basic preventive health care to the local communities," Dr Shroff said.

Past presidents of AIA Dr Govind Kapadia and Dr Shakti Kapur spoke about Dr Bathena's generosity and of his contributions as a community leader. "He generously donated both money and time for the AIA and other community organisations and his dedication and generosity testifies to the maxim, 'Parsi, thy name is charity!'" said Dr Kapadia, while Dr Kapur said, "His community services came from his heart and always in humility".

Professor Durisala Desaiah, past president, ASIOA, recalled, "I worked with Sam for years on the ASIOA executive committee and he was always the quintessential gentleman - he was never confrontational and worked well with all of us in furthering the cause of our association and our community".

Dr Ram Mhatre expressed similar sentiments and reminisced about how, "Over the years Sam advised a number of students and would always help them to excel in their academic fields".

"He also cared deeply for those who had suffered severe losses and was always at hand to help them, and worked tirelessly for the good of the community and because of his efforts and dependable leadership AIA was able to enjoy the successes it has".