Dr. Clyde Bernard Killian PhD

Dr. Clyde Bernard Killian, PhD, 74, originally of Logansport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Bethany Home.

A prayer service will be held at 4:00 pm Friday, February 27, 2026 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 7:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Clyde will be at 10:00 am Saturday, February 28, 2026, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Steven Rosonke as the Celebrant. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Logansport, IN at a later date.

Clyde was born on July 31, 1951, in Logansport, Indiana, to Dr. Evelyn Camille Killian Parker and Dr. Edgar W. Killian. After his parents' divorce, his mother remarried Francis Parker, who helped raise Clyde and remained a steady and loving presence in his life.

On June 14, 1975, Clyde married his sweetheart, Sharon Hopper. Together they built a life full of laughter, learning, adventure and love. They shared 47 beautiful years of marriage and raised three children, Michael, Alanna, and Paul, who were the pride and joy of his life.

Clyde was, at his heart, a teacher. He believed education could change lives because it had changed his. A graduate of Culver Academies, he earned his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College in 1973, his Master's from Indiana University in 1978, and his PhD in Neurology from Ohio University in 1994.

While at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, he helped start the Physical Therapy Program, pouring his vision and energy into building something that would impact generations of students. He later joined the Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis, where he devoted decades to teaching and mentoring. Upon retirement, he was honored as Professor Emeritus, a reflection of the deep respect he earned.

Titles, however, never captured who he truly was. His students affectionately called him the "crazy professor." His booming voice could be heard down the hallway before he ever stepped into the room. He made learning unforgettable. He challenged his students because he believed in them. He held high expectations, but he gave even more of himself in return. He encouraged, supported, and reminded people that they were capable of more than they imagined.

One of Clyde's favorite phrases was, "No mistakes." It was how he approached teaching and life. To him, there were only opportunities to learn, grow, and try again. That belief shaped the way he mentored his students, raised his children, and lived each day.

Clyde served on the APTA Indiana Board of Directors and contributed to research in neurological rehabilitation, including work in hippotherapy and improving care for patients with dementia. Yet what mattered most to him was always the individual in front of him. He saw people. He invested in them. He helped wherever he could.

He had a way of filling a room. No one left a conversation with Clyde without a story, a laugh, or one of his well known "Clydisms." He loved big, laughed loud, and showed up fully. His home was always open, especially to international students who needed a place to belong. Around his table, everyone felt like family.

He loved being active, whether taking long walks, riding bikes, or simply being outdoors. He loved dancing with his wife and gathering friends together. He especially loved feeding people. Smoking meat was not just a hobby, it was an expression of care. At one time he owned five grills, always experimenting, always perfecting. No one ever left his home hungry.

More than anything, Clyde loved his family. He adored his grandchildren. He and Sharon would drive for hours just to spend time with them. He got down on the floor without hesitation. He lifted them high into the air, took them to parks, fed them ice cream, and made each one feel deeply loved and important. He was fully present, and that presence is a gift they will carry forever.

Clyde is survived by his children, Michael (Emily) Killian, Alanna (Thomas) Callahan, and Paul (Alicia) Killian; his beloved grandchildren, Eli, Ethan, Kairi, William, Owen, Eleanor, Anna, Thomas, Wesley, Oliver, and Amaya; and his brothers, Paul Killian (Carole Killian) and half brother John Parker (Lori Parker); and many nieces, nephews, friends, and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Killian, and his parents and in laws.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Bethany Home, Dr. Peroski, Crista Weber NP, Hospice of Dubuque, and Clyde's many friends and family for the love, care, and support shown over these past few years.

Clyde's legacy is not only in the degrees he earned or the programs he helped build. It lives in the students who found confidence because of him, in the colleagues he inspired, in the meals shared around his table, and in the family who knew his unwavering love.

Dad, we promise to continue sharing your legacy with others.

He was one of a kind, and he will be deeply and forever missed.