Edward P. Gerber, M.D. died at his home in Reno, Nev., on May 24, 2013.
Edward Paul Gerber was born to Henry Philip and Agnes M. (Egan) Gerber on Feb. 9, 1928, in Aberdeen. He attended Catholic and public schools in Aberdeen, graduating from Central High School in 1946. He graduated from Northern State Teachers College (now Northern State University) in 1949, with a bachelor of science in education degree. He attended the University of South Dakota School of Medical Science, graduating with a B.S. in Medicine degree in 1951. He then transferred to the University of Illinois Medical School (Chicago), graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1953.
He was commissioned as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy and served his internship at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, Calif. Following his internship, he spent six months in the Navy Flight Surgeon Program at Pensacola Naval Hospital, Fla. After this training, he served as a Lieutenant for three years in Korea and Japan as a U.S. Navy flight surgeon serving with the U.S. Marine Corps.
After completion of his Naval service, he became a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve and served a three-year residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. During his residency, he spent time working on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. He was also attached to a Marine Fighter Squadron at Yuma, Ariz., Marine Corps Air Station. After completion of his training, Dr. Gerber practiced ophthalmology in Sacramento, Carmichael and Fair Oaks, Calif., specializing in cataract surgery. He also taught for more than 15 years in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis. He closed his practice and retired in 1996. After building his retirement home, he moved to Reno, Nev., in 1997. He was very appreciative of his office staff and continued to hold annual Christmas dinners with them after his retirement. He always treated nurses with great respect and acknowledged their significant contributions to patient care.
Dr. Gerber was very generous with his time and skills. During his years of practice, he served as an ophthalmologist with Project Hope in Africa and South America. Project Hope was a hospital ship that travelled to various locations in the world where the volunteer physicians and nurses performed procedures for the native people and also trained local doctors and nurses as part of their mission.
He loved to travel, especially to China and other Asian countries. He had a deep appreciation for many different kinds of art and patronized many local artists.
He is survived by his sister, F. Pauline (Arthur - deceased) Lloyd-Davies of Aberdeen; three brothers: James J. (Nell) Gerber, DDS, Modesto, Calif., Thomas L. (LaEtta) Gerber, Sturgis and Bernard C. (Marcella) Gerber, M.D., Aberdeen; 34 nieces and nephews, including Jean L. Gerber, M.D., Aberdeen; former sister-in-law, Millie (Gerber) Lockington, Aberdeen; and his close friends for more than 35 years: Robert Dorman and Patrick McBurnett.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Mary Louise Gerber; brothers: (Henry) John (Mildred - deceased) Gerber, Robert W. (Joyzelle) Gerber and Philip L. (Eugenia) Gerber, PhD; a niece, Kathleen (Lloyd-Davies) Rippberger; and a nephew, John Paul Gerber, PhD.
No local services are planned in Reno.
A Mass of Christian burial for Edward is scheduled for June 29 in his birthplace, Aberdeen, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Complete service times and further information will be published at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Dr. Edward P. Gerber Scholarship, Presentation College, 1500 N. Main St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.
Arrangements are pending at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen, SD.
spitzerfuneralhome.com