Paul Tudder Obituary
Dr. Paul Adrian Tudder, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend to so many, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025 at the age of 75. Known for his sharp wit, a sense of mischievous adventure, and an ability to make people laugh even in the delivery room, Paul's impact on the Northern Virginia community and beyond is immeasurable.
Born on August 19, 1950 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to the late Adrian Paul Tudder and Jean (Boyer) Tudder, Paul graduated from Pennsbury High School in 1968 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree in political science from Temple University in 1972. He earned his Doctorate in Medicine with high honors from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in 1978 and did his internship at the University of Maryland. Paul finished his residency and fellowship in Obstetrics/Gynecology at George Washington University and served as Chief Resident in Fairfax Hospital. He also became a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (F.A.C.O.G.), a prestigious recognition and honor.
In 1983, Paul opened his independent OB/GYN practice in Leesburg, Virginia. Drawn to the small-town feel that reminded him of his own upbringing, he wanted to live and work in a place where neighbors truly knew each other-he was an active member of the Rotary Club and provided free care to young unwed mothers at Martha's House in Hillsboro, Virginia. Fluent in Spanish, Paul was one of the first practices in the area to provide women with bilingual healthcare. He also wanted to ensure no one was denied care and often let his patients pay him in sweets-in fact, his office's kitchen often overflowed with homemade cookies, chocolate cakes and treats. (He also really loved Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and was known to frequently raid his daughters' Halloween bounty).
Over the course of his remarkable 35+ year career, he delivered an estimated 12,000 babies. Helping bring babies into the world was his passion, and he was in awe of the miracle of life, often joking, "These hands have been touched by God!"
His patients and colleagues knew him not just as a skilled physician but as a compassionate one. His bedside manner was renowned, and he was beloved in the community. He was honored with numerous awards, including the Most Compassionate Doctor Award and the Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr. Humanitarian Award from Reston Hospital Center. Paul was also named multiple times as one of The Washingtonian's Top Doctors in OB/GYN and was a consistent winner for most of his career of the Loudoun Times-Mirror's "Best of Loudoun" contest, where hundreds of thousands of votes were cast annually supporting him as their favorite OB/GYN.
But Paul never measured success in awards or statistics. For him, the greatest joy was being able to care for generations of families-delivering the sons and daughters of those he had delivered decades earlier. He often would say, "I am grateful that God has given me an opportunity to do something that I genuinely love." To this day, strangers stop his daughters to tell them how Paul had delivered all their babies and how kind and funny he was.
Paul leaves behind his wife of 28 years Diane Tudder; their daughter Madeleine Tudder and his stepson Mason Crowder; his daughters Jennifer (Matthew) Walus, Jacqueline (Jeremy) Thornburg, and Jessica (Phillip) Cedoz from his first marriage to Maria Teresa Pizano; and his grandchildren Siena, Christian and Kieran Walus. He is also survived by his sister Kathleen (Ned) Caswell and brother George Tudder, as well as his nephew and nieces Barrett, Sydney and Lauren Herminghaus.
The family would like to thank Celebration Villa of Altoona, their memory care staff and the team at Advantage Hospice for the excellent care they gave Paul - he was very loved, and they tended to his every need.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held in July 2026 in Leesburg, Virginia - details are forthcoming. The family invites you to honor him by sharing a story, eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, or performing a small act of service for someone else-because Paul knew that the world is made better one laugh, one kind gesture and one morsel of chocolate at a time. Dr. Paul Adrian Tudder, F.A.C.O.G.
Published by Loudoun Times-Mirror from Sep. 19 to Sep. 20, 2025.