Obituary of Edward Gerber, Jr.

SOUTHBURY - Dr. Edward Gerber, Jr., M.D., 91, of Southbury, passed away Tuesday morning, April 28, 2015, at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. He was the husband of Lois (Hilding) Gerber. Dr. Gerber was born in Waterbury, July 19, 1923. He was the son of the late Edward Gerber, Sr., and the late Ellen (Storm) Gerber and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps 242nd bomber group and attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant as a navigator on a B17. He was awarded the Armed Forces Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European Campaign Medal, and the Conn. Veterans Service Medal. Dr. Gerber was a graduate of Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. He was a member of the Class of 1945, returning after the war to complete his studies in 1947. He was a graduate of New York Medical College and completed residencies in New York and Ohio before opening his practice in Naugatuck. During his years of practice as a physician and general surgeon he was affiliated with both Waterbury and St. Mary’s Hospitals, later serving as Chief of Staff at St. Mary’s. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and was a class agent for the Class of 1945 of Colgate for many years. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Southbury and served as a Deacon and played in the hand bell choir. He was a member of Post 17 American Legion of Naugatuck and a past President of the Naugatuck Rotary Club, being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a member of the Region 15 Board of Education for several terms. He was also an avid gardener and contract bridge player. He leaves behind Lois, his wife of 59 years, and his children and their families: Edward H. Gerber and his wife Leslie Ann Huntley of Asheville, N.C., and Pamela G. Mellor and her husband Craig and their children Ben and Kristofer of Fairfield, CT. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at the United Church of Christ Southbury. Inurnment will be in the memorial wall of the church at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. is assisting with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ, 283 Main St., North, Southbury, 06488-3805, or the Naugatuck Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 484, Naugatuck, 06770-0484.