Dr. James J. Gerber

Dr. James J. Gerber DDS
February 11, 1921–September 6, 2015
James Joseph Gerber was born to Henry Philip Gerber and Agnes Egan Gerber, the fourth into a family of nine children, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Dr. Gerber fondly boasted that when he was six, he was the oldest of six, and at that time in his life his job was to light the coal stove in the basement of his family's home early each morning. He reminisced about his paper route, a coveted position, which was handed down from older brothers and friends.
Dr. Gerber spent his childhood and adolescence in Aberdeen, where he graduated with honors from Northern Normal and Industrial School (now Northern State University). By age 20 he was a postgraduate student at the University of California at Berkeley. His was the only class at the University of California College of Dentistry in San Francisco to take the accelerated course, and he graduated in February of 1945. Dr. Gerber was delighted to become a friend to Nobel Laureate Ernest Orlando Lawrence whose parents James knew in Aberdeen and Berkeley and found James work as a machinist, which enabled him to earn his way through school. After graduation he went immediately into the Navy, in which Lieutenant Gerber served as the Assistant Dental Surgeon aboard the USS Fond du Lac, an assault troop transport in the Pacific.
Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Dr. Gerber practiced in Ripon, CA for three years where he met and married his wife of 64 years, the former Nellie Van Wyk, before moving his dental practice to Modesto. Dr. Gerber's local dental practice was the first dental group in Modesto, consisting of pediatric and adult dentists. He was proud when his son Dr. Michael Gerber DDS joined the group practice after graduating from dental school, then together they moved to their location on Coffee Road operating separate practices until James retired in 1998. Dentistry was his artistry, and many of Dr. Gerber's patients were like family to him. His mantra to his patients was "save every tooth."
Dr. Gerber was a member of three honorary college fraternities plus Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity. He was a member of the Dean's Council at the University of California College of Dentists, President of the Democratic Professional Club in Modesto, International Academy of Gnathology, Gray Gowns Honor Society, Gnathological Study Group, California Rare Fruit Growers, San Francisco Mycological Society, Rails- to-Trails Conservancy, Commonwealth Club, SIR, and Elks Club.
Besides being a dedicated life-long skier, he was one of the founders of Modesto's first skin-divers' club, and Dr. Gerber and his wife Nell were among the first "Aqua Lungs" in Modesto. As their family grew, they shared this passion for the outdoors with their children, camping, hiking and fishing in the Yosemite wilderness, oftentimes including nieces and nephews from both sides of the family.Dr. Gerber appreciated Japanese culture and art, and his love of nature continued flourishing in the years following his retirement, many of which he spent tending to his exotic trees and plants, persimmon orchard, and "100-Year" Giant Bamboo grove. He found it especially gratifying to share persimmon rootstock, which he traded with a member of the Rare Fruit Growers and provided stock for a local nursery before "apple" persimmons became popular.
Dr. Gerber was predeceased by his son Dr. Michael J. Gerber DDS (Kelly), and siblings Mary Louise Gerber; Henry John Gerber, (Mildred, deceased); Dr. Philip Gerber PhD (Eugenia); Robert Gerber, (Joy); and Dr. Edward Gerber MD.He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nellie Van Wyk Gerber; his sister Pauline Gerber Lloyd-Davies, Aberdeen, SD (Arthur, deceased); Thomas Gerber, Sturgis, SD (LaEtta); and Dr. Bernard Gerber MD, Aberdeen, SD (Marcella); children: James Gerber, Jr., Potsdam, NY (Becky); Karen Gerber Conrotto, Modesto, CA (Duane, deceased); Dr. Robert Gerber MD, Coos Bay, OR; Kimberly Gerber Spina, Modesto, CA (Al); and Thomas Gerber, Riverbank, CA (Lenora); 15 grandchildren: Dr. Sarah Gerber Wilmer DDS, (Coby) and Katherine Gerber; Tjiska Conrotto and Clare Conrotto; Dr. Lucia Gerber MD (Marco), Dr. Robert Gerber DDS, Ireland Gerber, Nicholas Gerber, and Delaney Gerber; Alfred Spina and John Spina; Nathaniel Gerber, Maci Gerber, and Samuel Gerber; and Andrew Gerber; great-grandchildren Diego Bolanos-Gerber and Miguel Bolanos-Gerber; and Piper Wilmer; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation September 17th, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Deegan Funeral Chapel, 1441 San Joaquin Street, Escalon, CA; Memorial Service September 18th, 11:00 a.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA. Private burial.In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute to one of the following non-profits or the charity of your choice in Dr. Gerber's name:Salida Performing Arts Foundation, http://salidaarts.org P.O. Box 378, Salida, CA 95368Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356 
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