Jeffrey W. Vidt DVM
Jeffrey W. Vidt DVM, 67, of Westmont, at rest January 1, 2022. Born March 26, 1954 in Pittsburgh PA to W. Glenn and Josephine (nee Ferrari) Vidt. Jeff, a devoted husband and strong Christian was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his faithful wife, Linda (nee Bozek); siblings Bob (Pam) Vidt, Sue (Gary) Kostecki, Lori (Steve) Caswell; Uncle Jim (Vicki) Vidt; mother-in-law Loretta (nee Strauss) Bozek; brothers-in-law Bob (Carolyn), Jim (Laura), Michael, Bill, Mark, Tom (Maureen) and John; sisters-in-law Doreen (Tim) Marion, Kim, Lori and Robbie (Phil) Marotta, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and his beloved Shar-Pei, Maui and Molly Brown.
Jeff had a life-long love of animals and decided by age 11 that he wanted to be a veterinarian.
After graduating from York High School, Elmhurst, IL, in 1972, he went on to attend the University of Illinois for his undergraduate degree and graduated in the top of his class from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. During school breaks he volunteered at Downers Grove Animal Medical Clinic where he met his future wife, Linda, whom he married on January 6, 1979. He began his veterinary career at this same clinic in 1980. He then moved to LaGrange Park Pet Hospital and later to Sugar Grove, IL. In 2007 Jeff joined West Suburban Veterinary Associates in Westmont, IL, officially retiring from there in June 2020.
After developing a special interest in the Chinese Shar-Pei breed, Jeff purchase his first Shar-Pei, Shami, in 1983. He was one of the first veterinarians to actively study the unique health characteristics of the breed, and developed a website to furthering this knowledge, which veterinarians worldwide accessed to provide compassionate, quality care for their clients and families. Jeff’s Shar-Pei dogs went on to receive some of the first performance sports titles in the history of the breed, some also serving as therapy dogs. He was actively involved in Chinese Shar-Pei rescue, fostering and re-homing numerous Shar-Pei, many of them finding a forever home with Jeff and Linda.
Jeff’s many memberships and honors include the American Animal Hospital Association, the Association of Avian Practitioners, The American Heartworm Society, the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, the Illinois State Veterinary Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Chairman of the Health Through Education Committee for the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America since 1991, Obedience Advisor for the CSPCA and assistant Director of Training for the Lyons Township Dog Training Club, an all-breed AKC Obedience club, the William Morrison Service Award from the CSPCA in 1997 for service to the Shar-Pei fancy and in 2003 a Life Membership for the CSPCA.
In 2015 he began to exhibit some disturbing physical symptoms, and in 2017 received an official diagnosis of Cortical Basal Degeneration, a rare Parkinson’s type disease. Jeff was grateful for all the love and support shown to him during this illness. A favorite scripture, one which Jeff relied upon daily, especially during the last several years, was Romans 8:28 “We know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them”- The Book. When the progression of the disease began to have an impact on his ability to perform his veterinary work, the West Suburban associates, recognizing his devotion to care for his clients and families, did everything possible to assist Jeff in making possible for him to continue the care he was so passionate about.
as a youth, Jeff was a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed. Most recently he attended Avenue Christian Church and West Hills Community Church. Jeff was a strong, committed Christian and a man of great faith. He was actively involved in Men’s Bible Study group, service projects and served as a mentor for young children in the Royal Rangers
As a Boy Scout, Jeff attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was later selected for the Order of the Arrow.
Jeff loved spending time with family, friends, and his dogs. He was passionate about training and showing his dogs, as well as teaching others to train their dogs. As a skilled craftsman he enjoyed tackling home improvement projects both indoors and out and was an avid Chicago sports fan.
Jeff’s caring bedside manner put many anxious owners and their pets at ease. The pet community has lost a loving and compassionate friend. His servant’s heart, educated mind, wry sense of humor and humble demeanor endeared him to all who were privileged to know him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 11 A.M.-3 P.M., followed by Funeral Services at 3 P.M. at Avenue Christian Church 5750 Holmes Ave., Clarendon Hills, Il 60514. Arrangements entrusted to Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Westmont. Info 630-852-8000 or www.westsuburbanfh.com
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Community Adult Day Center 4501 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515, communityadultdaycenter.org. or Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue Trust 9101 S. 55th St Oak Lawn, IL 60453. Donations of dog/cat food will be accepted at the Church the day of the funeral, before the service, for the People’s Resource Center of Westmont, to be given in Jeff’s memory.
We will miss this kind caring friend, Wonderful Dr. To our Pebbles, Tina, Rocksey,Wilma,and Betty too.
Jeff we love you!
Donna and John
Thank you for your kind words.
Linda Vidt
What an incredible legacy of service and care. He has made it possible to bring our beloved Sharpei into the mainstream of pet owners and for me personally… to have 4 Sharpei with exceptional life spans. I had to smile… Dr Vidt and I share a birthday. RIP Dr V. knowing you have made a difference. 💜
Such a huge loss 💔. My condolences to the family
Very sad day. He was a legend in the Pei community and even though I live in AZ and he in IL Dr. Vidt was always willing to assist with information on health related breed issues. A kind and caring man. You were loved and will be missed. My condolences to his family.
My heart is with Linda and his family. I’m so glad he was able to come to our annual event this past fall and watch his beloved breed one more time. It was, indeed, a life well lived.
We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Dr Jeff Vidt. We did not know him but he had a huge part in teaching us how to keep our many beloved Shar-pei healthy throughout the last thirty years. We are sending love and prayers to all of his family and friends. We know that he is surrounded now by all of our beloved Shar-pei and all of the other animals that he has cared for over his career.
Thank you Dr Jeff for sharing your knowledge around the world so generously. Living in Australia, I never met you personally but your knowledge and sharing of information about our beloved breed has left a legacy of incalculable value. Sending sincere condolences, strength and peace to your family and friends. May your memory be a blessing to them.
The Shar-Pei World has lost a true advocate of the Breed. Our condolences to his entire family. May his memory live on in your hearts.
My heart is sad to hear , Dr. Vidt was such a loving kind honest man he helped me with my Sweet Shar Pei Grace even up to the day she passed in 2018 . He always returned my calls from miles away when I had questions about my Grace . Thank you God for for blessing us with such an Angel and now he’s forever yours.
I will miss Dr. Vidt. He was a pillar in health care for Chinese Shar-Pei and a person. I loved reading his articles in the CSPCA’s magazine, The Barker. Condolences to his family on their loss.
I have missed Dr Vidt since he stopped practicing. I had so much confidence in his care of my Sharpei over the past 20 years. I love the Sharpei breed and it was a honor and a privilege to have known him in the care of my pets. He will be missed around the world. Condolences to his family for the loss of Dr Vidt.
Dr. Vidt was my mentor and good friend. Everyone who knew him would agree that he was one of the smartest and most caring people they have ever met. He got me involved in Shar Pei Rescue and taught me so much when I worked with him in La Grange Park. He was always willing to help whenever I had questions. I will miss him so much. 💕
He was an awesome human being as well as a great Vet. He nursed us through 2 Shar Peis, Sonny and Flynn and even took calls from us when he was already retired when Flynn got kidney disease that took his life. He was a class act that will be missed. We were blessed to him take care of out pets.
My pets are patients at VCA West Suburban and, while I never met Dr. Vidt, after reading his obituary, I wish I had! He sounds like he was an amazing man. Condolences to the family who, I’m sure are still reeling from the trauma and will greatly miss him. But rest assured, he now has a perfect body and is dancing in Heaven with Jesus!
Dr. Vidt was not only an expert on the health of Shar Peis, he was the finest surgeon. He performed a surgery on my deep chested Collie, Briggs, to take out a large cancer tumor on his liver. The recovery was amazing and I asked him if he could be my surgeon. His gentle nature and caring attitude towards not only his patients but also the owners was reassuring to us. All the dogs he treated are meeting him at the gates of heaven. God Bless him. Linda and your family have our deepest sympathy. Mary Onorad and Bill Wilkiel
From our family to yours, our sincere condolences for the passing of Dr. Vidt.
Lilly, our Standard Poodle was a patient of Dr. Vidt’s. His calm demeanor and caring attitude toward Lilly and our family made a few very serious situations easier to deal with for all. We are forever grateful for those moments and his care. Thank you.
I share tears of sadness with so many. Dr Vidt was my vet for my shar-pei, Muffin starting in La Grange. Like many I followed him every time he moved. Muffin, Simba, Harley and Daisy all felt his kindness.
He touched so many lives with his kind patient thorough manner.
Linda, I am grateful to have know him and am so sorry that he was not able to stay healthy, with you longer. I’m sure you have many great memories. He is no longer suffering.
What a wonderful and bright light Dr. Vidt was in this world. He helped our family in so many ways with our Pei, Gunner. He was so kind and caring. I loved the way he would sit on the floor and get eye to eye with his patients and make them feel comfortable. He would take the time to answer all of your questions, no matter how long it took. His legacy lives on in all of the vets he was able to mentor. He will be greatly missed!
My heart is heavy and my Deepest condolences to his family and friends. Which I consider myself part of the latter. having an almost 30 year relationship with him caring for my three beloved Shar Pei’s through all the ups and downs. I will miss him greatly as I’m sure the entire community will. Rest in peace Dr. vidt,
My wife and I are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Vidt. We admired his intellect, his compassion and his dedication
to his profession. He played a crucial role in the health of our family’s pets and will be greatly missed.
Dr Vidt,
Thank you so much for all your kindness, compassion and sharing your knowledge about the Chinese Sharpei breed! May your gift for your craft, and your good works live on through all those you have mentored! I pray they share your knowledge!