Obituary of Dr. Paul B. Jergens

Dr. Paul B. Jergens, MD, a beloved ophthalmologist, internal medicine specialist and former electrical engineer, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 29 of metastatic cancer at the age of 75 in Venice, FL. Paul was born in Dayton, Ohio to Henry and Mabel Jergens and attended Our Lady of the Rosary Elementary School and Chaminade High School. Paul graduated from the University of Dayton in 1969 magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. Paul was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship grant to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he excelled and became a member of the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society. Paul graduated from MIT in 1970 magna cum laude with a master's degree in electrical engineering, then worked at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ as an electrical engineer on video conferencing and other advanced cutting technology. Paul met his wife Mary Varno of Middletown, NJ while both working at Bell Labs and they were married in 1972 at Saint Mary's Church.

Paul was truly inspired and dedicated to becoming a physician in order to help and heal people, therefore following his work at Bell Laboratories in 1973, he attended the Medical College of Ohio and earned his Medical Doctor degree in 1976. Dr. Jergens completed his residency in internal medicine at Monmouth Medical Center and practiced internal medicine in Point Pleasant, NJ from 1979 to 1983. Dr. Jergens decided to return to medical and surgical training in the specialty of ophthalmology and he, his wife Mary and their four children moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a resident physician in ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation for three years. In 1986, the Jergens family moved to Middletown, NJ and Dr. Paul B. Jergens practiced ophthalmology alongside Dr. Frederick C. Blades for over 30 years in Red Bank, NJ and performed eye surgeries at Riverview Medical Center where they were affiliated. Dr. Jergens had a very rewarding experience diagnosing and treating his patients, helping to correct and restore their vision and providing a full range of top quality eye health care. Paul was well known for his devotion, kindness, compassion, and extensive knowledge, professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine concern for those around him.

Paul was a very loving, caring and supportive father and grandfather and he enjoyed spending quality time with his children and grandchildren and felt very proud of them. In addition to Paul's active family life and medical career, he was very interested in photography, a wide range of technology, mathematics, basketball and many other sports, bike riding, nature, building and home improvement projects.

Paul is survived by his children Colleen (Dave) Laudien, Katie Jergens, Shannon (Ryan) Zona and John Jergens as well as by his grandchildren David and Mary Laudien, and Riley and Liam Zona. Paul also leaves behind his brothers Charles (Diane), Ray (Beverly), and William Jergens and his sister Cindy (Denny) Dennis and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Mabel and his older brother Thomas.

A Visitation will be held Wednesday May 18 starting at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (address: 22 Notre Dame Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45404) with the family in the church lobby and friends are welcome to attend and offer their condolences and pay their respects. There will be a Funeral Mass held in honor of Dr. Paul B. Jergens, MD at 11:00 AM. Following the funeral mass, there will be a procession to Calvary Cemetery for the burial (address: 1625 Calvary Drive Dayton, Ohio 45409) and all are welcome to attend.

Flowers may be sent to the church. (The local florists in Dayton, Ohio that are recommended are Furst Florist and Greenhouse www.fursttheflorist.com and Oberer's Flowers www.oberers.com). For those who wish, in lieu of flowers charitable donations may be made in Paul's loving memory to the Tidewell Foundation hospice care in Venice, FL. https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/