Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
JOHN KULDAU Obituary
John M. Kuldau, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at UF, died March 2, five days after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He leaves his wife, Christiana M. Leonard, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience, four children, Gretchen and Gustav Kuldau, Andrew and Amy Leonard, as well as six grandchildren. His first wife, Erma L. Kuldau, died April 22, 1981. His second marriage took place on January 1, 1982. Dr. Kuldau was devoted to "training doctors to be psychiatrists." As Director of Residency Training from 1979 to 1997, he educated a generation of psychiatrists who serve the State and University.
Dr. Kuldau was born August 9, 1933, in Sandusky, OH. In 1954, he received a BS summa cum laude from Ohio State and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving his M.D. from Western Reserve Medical School in 1958, he interned at Boston City Hospital and entered a residency in Psychiatry at Harvard. He spent a year in research studying verbal messages with William F. Soskin, Ph.D., and later spent sabbaticals at the Institute of Psychiatry (1971-1972) and Oxford University (1982-1983) in England.
He served two years as a Naval Staff Psychiatrist in San Diego, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He became Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford in 1965 and helped establish a nonprofit corporation, DANN Services, to enable psychiatric inpatients to become gainfully employed either in the community or a sheltered workshop. He served as President from 1968 to 1974, leaving when he became Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UF. He served as Interim Chair before becoming Chief of the Psychiatry Service at the Gainesville VA Medical Center in 1992, retiring in 2002. Even though his major commitment was to education and clinical care, he received several research grants from UF, NIH and the VA.
Dr. Kuldau continued to teach and supervise residents until days before his death. He loved the Democrats, gardening, travel, music and telling bad jokes. A green burial in Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery and a memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Haven Hospice. Arrangements by Countryside Funeral Home, Anthony.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOHN KULDAU
Faye Gary
March 1, 2025
Dr. Kuldau was my teacher and my friend. His memory is always present in my thoughts. Rest in perfect peace, my teacher and my friend.
Faye Gary
March 2, 2022
The lessons that I learned from Dr. John Kuldau continue to resonate and help to guide me in my work with patients, families, and colleagues. I think of him often. I pray that he is resting in perfect peace.
Faye Gary
February 27, 2021
John Kuldau was my friend, mentor, colleague, and teacher for more than three decades. His contributions to science and service will remain impactful for years to come. I think of him often and recall his dedication to students, faculty, patients, and others who interacted with him. He was a role model for many. His teachings continue to guide and direct me in my daily work. Rest in perfect peace, Dr. John Kuldau!
Gregg L. Friedman MD
July 26, 2020
Dr John Kuldau MD was an excellent professor and he will be missed greatly. I have fond memories of working with him in Gainesville, Florida. By Gregg L. Friedman MD
Les Morey
September 30, 2019
RIP, Dr. John. Your kindness to a green graduate student, all those many years ago, are not forgotten.
August 12, 2019
John was one of the nicest, most gentle man I have ever met. Rest in peace my friend.
Jim Islam
Mohamed O Saleh, MD, FAPA
Mohamed Saleh
August 8, 2019
My name is Mohamed O Saleh, I am from Ethiopia. I arrived in the United Sates in 1979 and applied to over 100 universities after trying unsuccessfully to enter a Psychiatry Residency program. In 1981, at the end of my rope I met Dr. John Michael Kuldau, who took me under his wing, accepted me in his Psychiatry Residency Training Program at UF and became like an older brother, almost a father figure for me and gently trained me to become a qualified American Psychiatrist. He was a witness at my nuptials and prodded me to help my country. The year he retired in 2002 I started the Eritrean Psychiatric Foundation and I am now helping African doctors learn. Dr Kuldau will be forever my benefactor. The man he believed in me when nobody would. Rest in peace, big brother. Will see you soon.
Mohamed
LAWRENCE ADU
February 28, 2019
Dr. John Kuldau was my teacher and mentor who took me by hand and made a Psychiatrist our of me.
He was a man with a good heart full of Love.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
Faye Gary
February 27, 2019
John Kuldau is still vivid in my memory and the lessons that I learned from him are still important and often used in my daily interactions with others. He was always accessible, kind, and eager to teach and guide me and countless others. His memory lives through the work that we all do every day. I pray that he continues to rest in perfect peace. I am grateful for our relationship that extended for more than three decades.
Jay Samander
March 19, 2012
To my mentor - you guided me , kept me grounded and I will never forget you . . .
Jerzy Szlabowicz
March 16, 2012
It was my good fortune to meet Dr. John Kuldau over a quarter of century ago. As so many others I was touched by his generosity, kindness and caring. He extended helping hand and friendship to a newcomer. He was good, wise, noble MAN. Interested in lifes of people of different backgrounds; their culture, language, history. With impressive knowledge and broad intellectual horizon that made conversation with him pleasant and enriching experience. I cherished every, even brief meeting with him. It is missing now. I am deeply saddened.
My heart and thoughts are with his Family.
John Justice M.D.
March 15, 2012
The Grief has just hit me as I found out about Dr. Kuldau's passing. It seems like yesterday that this Kind, knowlegeable man and mentor was teaching me not only how to be a Psychiatrist but also about Character Development. He taught me how to console those in Grief. Remember " Healing doesn't mean forgetting your loss. You never will. Rather, Healing enables you to accept it as a part of your life and move on." God who has delivered others will indeed deliver you from your grief. This man has a special place in Heaven.
Dawn Bruijnzeel
March 15, 2012
I had the honor and pleasure of receiving mentorship from Dr. Kuldau for the past 15 years—through many different phases of my life and career. His knowledge, kindness, wisdom and gentle guidance molded me as a person and as a psychiatrist. I will miss our talks and the benefit of his unique perspective and always sound advice. He had so many admirable qualities that I will strive to emulate as I continue on the very path to which he led me.
Candy L. Hill
March 13, 2012
It was my honor to know you John Kuldau. Rest in Peace, you will be missed.
Michael L. Radelet
March 13, 2012
John was a wonderful teacher, role model, advocate, and friend. We are all challenged to keep his memory alive by continuing to work on the many aspects of social justice that he cared so much about.
March 13, 2012
Dr Kuldau was my mentor at UF for 3 years during my residency. He always said he wanted to be remembered as having a "neat and tidy reputation." This is true without question.
Jeffrey Ferraro
Rafael Ruiz
March 13, 2012
His legacy will continue forever as we continue to practice and share his wisdom with our patients and colleagues. This is the best tribute to a great mentor.
Donna and Robert Epting
March 13, 2012
To John's family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this heartbreaking time. There's nothing we can say that will ease your pain. We just wanted to let you to know that we are thinking of you. Our deepest condolences.
March 13, 2012
I will always remember Dr. John Kuldau. He was my friend, my teacher, and my mentor. Our relationship extended across several decades. I have been enriched beyond measure through his knowledge, kindness, wisdom, and his caring. He lives on in the minds and hearts of many people whose lives he nurtured and supported. I am deeply saddened.
Faye A. Gary
Associate Dean and Professor
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
Jim Islam
March 13, 2012
As a neighbor for almost 30 years, I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of John. A very wise man and wonderful friend.
Priscilla Spence
March 13, 2012
Dea Tiana and family,
I will never forget Dr. Kuldau. His kindness and wisdom will always be remembered. He loved his residents and even more loved to teach. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor and always had the time to spend with a resident or student who needed help. I will miss his stories and his smile. I loved sharing about his children and then grandchildren. He would bring me pictures and keep me updated on what they were doing. I will definitely miss him, but I am so happy that I had the chance to be his friend.
Joan Hill
March 8, 2012
It is with great sympathy to the Kuldau family for your loss - he will be deeply missed.
From the Department of Neuroscience Faculty and Friends
San Chang
March 7, 2012
Thank you, Dr. Kuldau, for the wisdom and knowledge that you shared with us in this season of our lives. You will be missed by all of us.
Vikram Vaka
March 7, 2012
I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Kuldau. He was an incredibly kind, warm, compassionate physician and human being. All of us psychiatry interns looked forward to his process group weekly and having the opportunity to share with him our experiences. He had a wide breadth of knowledge on a variety of topics and a way to make any discussion lively and captivating. He has touched so many lives, trained so many psychiatrists and will be deeply missed by us all.
Lisa Merlo Greene
March 7, 2012
Dr. Kuldau had a special presence and made a unique contribution to psychiatry training. He displayed wisdom that could only be developed through experience, and he will be greatly missed by many! With deepest sympathy and prayers,
Ted Stellhorn
March 6, 2012
Sandusky High School memories were reviewed as I read John's obituary in the Sandusky Register this afternoon. Just this last year I received a picture of a group of us, including John, who were together for a picnic on the Cedar Point Chausee. The ranks are thinning. And John was one of the best and well-respected of my class-mates. Deepest sympathy to all of the Kuldau Family.
Sybille Beck
March 6, 2012
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Kuldau family and all those that knew him. Sybille Beck
March 5, 2012
Farewell to a Mentor and a Father.
May your Soul Rest in Peace in the Bossom of Our Lord
May his Light shine on you forever.
lawrence Adu.
Dylan Wint
March 5, 2012
Dr. Kuldau was my first mentor. I loved and respected this gentle, generous, and dedicated teacher and doctor who influenced and fostered my career more than he would ever take credit for. I will miss him.
Wilfred Acholonu
March 5, 2012
Fare well to you, Dr. Kuldau
Fare well to a special friend, a mentor and a guardian.
Farwell to the one who opens doors and shows the way to the "vision-impaired".
I will always be grateful for the kindness you showed to me and to my friends. Good bye my friend. Good bye Dr. Kuldau.
Leonardo Rodriguez
March 5, 2012
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
March 5, 2012
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to John's family, his friends, and his colleagues.
Oscar Leyva-Yapur/ Lake City VA MHC
Margaret Rathfon, Secty.
March 5, 2012
I'll miss him walking in w/his coat over his arm, carrying a briefcase in the other as he looks to see what resident is already here for his meeting and lecture on Thursdays. Very nice, gentle man.
Valerie Moreau
March 5, 2012
My thoughts and prayers to the family. You will truly be missed by all.
Keith White
March 5, 2012
John was a wonderful colleague and friend. Keith White
Showing 1 - 35 of 35 results
Make a Donation
in JOHN KULDAU's name
Memorial Events
for JOHN KULDAU
How to support JOHN's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor JOHN KULDAU's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
