Paul August Gerding Jr., DVM, MS, DACVO, passed away on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, at the age of 69. Paul was a devoted son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend whose life was marked by intellect, compassion, and deep love for family.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Jenny Suydam, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be private at Oakwood Memorial Park
Born on April 3, 1957, in Ottawa, Illinois, to Paul Sr. and Patricia (Geschwind) Gerding. Paul was raised in Ottawa and graduated from Ottawa Township High School, where he played freshman and sophomore football and earned a varsity letter in tennis. He shared two of his father’s great passions, hunting and life on the river, both of which remained lifelong sources of joy.
Paul was the proud father of two daughters, Elizabeth Jones (Rhys) of Chicago and Allison Kruger (Kevin) of Champaign. Together they blessed him with five grandchildren, all of whom lovingly knew him as Grampy Paul. He cherished his family deeply and found immense pride in watching it grow. He also had a lifelong love of Labrador Retrievers, a passion he passed on to his daughters.
Dr. Gerding earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and went on to receive both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1984 and Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois, where he specialized in veterinary ophthalmology. He served as a faculty member and Chief of Staff at the University of Illinois and taught from 1985 to 2007, while continuing in an adjunct clinical appointment. A respected educator, researcher, and clinician, he was an invited speaker nationally and internationally. His professional interests included ocular pharmacology, therapeutic innovation, and advancing devices to improve outcomes in veterinary ophthalmology.
In 2007, Dr. Gerding became a partner with Eye Care for Animals, a national veterinary ophthalmology practice, where he provided specialized vision care, surgery, and consultations. He was especially passionate about providing free eye care for service animals and offered veterinary ophthalmologic services to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, and Indianapolis Zoo, including care for large and exotic animals.
Dr. Gerding retired at the age of 59 to focus on what he valued most: family, friends, and a life well enjoyed. Even in retirement, he continued offering consultation services both locally and nationally. In 2012, he returned to his hometown of Ottawa, where he embraced once again the peace and beauty of life on the river.
Paul is survived by his mother, Patricia Gerding, his wife Reggi Gerding, his sister, Barbara (Richard) Warsinskey, his brother, Richard Gerding, his daughters, Elizabeth and Allison, and his five cherished grandchildren, Eden and Maeve Jones, and Cameron, Vivienne and Maxwell Kruger.
Paul was preceded in death by his father; Paul August Gerding Sr., his paternal grandparents Carl and Margaret (Bretag) Gerding, and maternal grandparents Elmer and Helen (Hulse) Geschwind.
Memorials may be directed to the Ottawa Township High School District 140 Educational Foundation, Inc. or the donor’s choice.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433.