Born: December 19, 1964 - Deceased: December 2, 2021
Dr. Robert “Bob” Valere Kellow, born December 19, 1964 in Chicago,IL, died on December 2, 2021, at Belleville Memorial Hospital.
Born to Leonard and Claudette Kellow and raised in Findlay, Illinois, Bob graduated from Findlay High School and Southern Illinois Carbondale. He earned his Medical Degree from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, followed by his Pediatric residency at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Dr Kellow was a veteran of the United States Army.
Bob was a loving husband to his wife, Dawn, of 31 years. The love story of Bob and Dawn began during childhood when their families would get together for game nights. While their families stayed in touch, it wasn’t until years later that they reconnected. Bob and Dawn loved nothing more than being in each other’s company. They enjoyed traveling, nights out with friends, holding hands, midnight cruises on Lake Lou Yaeger and spoiling their kids and pets. They were a true love story and deeply devoted to one another.
Together Bob and Dawn created three beautiful children; Katherine Elizabeth, Rachel Anne and Samuel Robert. Bob’s kids were the brightest light of his life. He never missed a school play, cheer performance, or sporting event. The best part of Bob’s day was morning drop offs to school and picking Sam up from football practice. Family dinners together were a daily ritual and the conversation always started with Bob asking, “what did you do today?” Bob was an example to his children and always taught them that hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes were the path to a successful life.
Bob grew up playing sports with his brothers Leonard and Mike, and he excelled in both school and sports, most notably basketball and baseball. He passed his love and dedication for sport and competition on to his children. Bob was an avid St.Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, St.Louis Blues, and Fighting Illini fan. Bob also enjoyed, bowling, golfing, and trips to Red Rocks, Colorado for good music with even better friends.
Although he was known as a Husband, Father, Son and Brother, he was also lovingly known as Dr Bob. Over the last 27 years, Dr Bob became a staple in the community, running his pediatric practice and touching the lives of countless children and families throughout Belleville. Dr Bob had a calm and reassuring demeanor, and could always be counted upon as a listening ear. He will be greatly missed amongst the families he devoted so much of his life to.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Father Leonard P. Kellow
- Father-in-law Steve Dehority
- Grandparents
- Nephew, Nicholas Dehority
Memorial Contributions may be made to : Robert V. Kellow M.D. Education Scholarship.
Floral Arrangements may be sent to Kurrus Funeral Home.
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00- 8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL and from 11:00 – 12:00pm, Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 pm, Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 with Pastor Brian Downs officiating. Private Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.
66 Comments
I’m so sorry for you loss I’m praying for you’re family
Belleville, and beyond, are mourning the loss of this beloved and trusted physician. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.
He was a wonderful Dr. Took care of my children, and grand children. Sending thought and prayers to his family.
My condolences and prayers to Dr Kellow’s family. He was a great pediatrician to my children. Always there for questions or concerns. He touched so many lives and will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you are helped by the knowledge that Dr. Kellow was loved and respected by so many. He was a wonderful provider for my children and grandchildren, I will be forever grateful for all his care and support.
I am so sorry for your loss! Dr. Kellow was an amazing doctor, he will be missed! Sending prayers and hugs to the whole family!
Dawn,
There’s no words to say how we feel on hearing of Bob’s passing. He was a great doctor and we all loved working for him. Peace to you and the kids.
Karen Currier
Dr Kellow was a wonderful doctor. We had the pleasure of him being both of our son’s pediatrician. Both of our boys are now grown and married. My youngest son and his wife are expecting their first and planned to have him as their son’s pediatrician. He will be greatly missed.
I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Dr. Kellow but his care and love was seen through the smile and life of his wife, Dawn. Dawn, I am praying for you and your children as you navigate this new terrain. Know that God is ever present and will comfort. God can be trusted, even now.
We first met Dr. Kellow in 2001 when our oldest child was born. His wisdom and love for children helped guide our family through illness, broken bones and hospital stays. He will be missed and never forgotten.
To all Dr. Kellow’s family, our family is sorry for you loss. He was awesome with our daughters. It didn’t matter if we seen him in the office or at the bowling alley, he always took a minute to say hello and ask how they were! I know he is looking down on all of you and his patients as we navigate thru this.
Love you Dr. Kellow!!!
To all of Dr. Kellow’s family and work-family, my condolences. We loved having him as our pediatrician. He was a very sincere Dr and person. He will be greatly missed.
Such a huge loss to the community of kids he took care of with an open ear and kind heart. He has been our kids doc since my oldest was 3. He is now 25. We feel blessed to have had such a wonderful man take care of our kiddos over the years. Rest in Peace Dr. Bob. You will be missed.
Sending prayers with my deepest sympathy to his wife and their children, along with all of his family and friends.
Condolences and prayers to Dr. Kellow’s family & loved ones. He was a wonderful doctor to our children for over 20 years. He will be sorely missed.
God bless….
We are so saddened by the loss of Dr. Kellow, we’ve know him for 22 years now. Not only was he my girls doctor but consider a friend. He will be missed by so so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to especially his family but also to his staff, I’m so sorry for this devastating loss.
Dr. Kellow was a fantastic person and doctor to my child. We are so heart broken hearing of his sudden passing. Our hearts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. We will remember him with great love and appreciation. He will be so very missed. ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words. My daughter loved him. She always felt safe when she had to see him. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Our family adored Dr. Kellow. Prayers to his family. He will be deeply missed.
Dr Kellow has been both of my daughters, who are 16 and 19, doctor since birth and they loved his straight to it approach! He diagnosed one of my daughters with type 1 diabetes and was so calm about it all and just told us what to do. He will be missed! My thoughts are with his family!!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Kellow’s family. He was has been our pediatrician for 22 years. All three all my daughters loved him. Every time one of my girls came to see him they also talked about how they were doing in school. He also always asked how sports was going. Even band he always remember what they played. Not many Doctors remembered or even cared about those things. He was a great person. We will miss him.
Such a sad loss. Definitely will be missed and my kids who have grown up with his as their doctor were all as shocked and saddened to hear the news. Our sympathies to all the family and friends
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful doctor to my (now, almost adult) children. They were both so saddened to hear about his passing. He was always so caring. He made a difference in this world. Prayers for your family.
Words cannot express how saddened we are to hear of Dr. Kellows passing. He has been an amazing doctor to our 2 boys and to many other children. He was always there to help ease my mind on several occasions and was always making sure my boys felt comfortable. He will certainly be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers are being sent for his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Kellow was an amazing doctor, he will be missed. Sending thoughts & prayers to the whole family.
We will miss you Dr. Kellow. My children loved having him as a wonderful Doctor.
Dawn, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Blessings and prayers to you, Dr Kellow’s family and those touched by him. A kind and patient physician in … and out of the office. Lost in the “what do I do” for the care of my child, he’s always have the encouraging words to give you hope and faith they would be ok. Thank you.
Sending prayers to his family and office staff. My family adored Dr. Bob and will miss him dearly. He was amazing with my boys and such a loving, calming presence to me as a parent. I will forever be grateful for the 8 years we got to know him. We saw him the day before Thanksgiving and I’m so thankful to have that last visit memory of his smiling face! He will be so missed. Kellow family my deepest condolences to you during this time.
So sorry for your loss, Dr. Kellow was my children doctor for 15 years. He was a great pediatrician and took out time with his patients and the last time i seen him, he made my kids laugh. He will be truly missed.
Dr. Kellow was dearly appreciated by my family. An excellent doctor and kind person. We are so very sad about his death. Our prayers are going out to his beloved family, friends and coworkers as you cope with his loss.
He has always been an angel to so many it’s just that now he has his wings. Thank you Dr. Kellow for always being a good man. Prayers for all those who feel your loss.
I was so sad to hear about the death of Dr Bob. My oldest son is 29 and we started seeing him when he took over for Dr Rashet and we loved him right away! The boys actually looked forward to going to see him and they even continued through their college years! We always had good conversations during our visits and it was like visiting with an old friend. We will miss him. Our deepest sympathies to the Kellow family.
So very sorry for your loss. He was one of the greatest docs I’ve had the pleasure to know as he treated my kids and onto my grand babies. I often teased him that he should of been a GP or internist so everyone would have had the pleasure to call him their doc. But it was evident his love for kids was where his heart truly shined. As evident when he would show up at East football games after his kids were gone just to watch as he put it to me “ to support my kids” meaning his patients. The world lost a great great man but heaven has definitely gained an Angel. Prayers for you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Kellow’s family and ACP family. He was our doctor for almost 16 years. My boys were saddened by his passing. I had one ask after his physical over the summer, do you think Dr. Bob would come to one of my games. He always asked both of my boys about their sports and remembered what each played. He also helped me to stay calm with my boys when they were little.
Dr. Kellow…Dr. Bob, you are missed by so many.
I am deeply saddened by the great loss of a fellow pediatrician. My heart goes out to his family during this trying time of sorrow. May you find the strength you need, may you hold close the memories you cherish, and may you know the gentle peace that comes from faith. I will be praying for you.
So sorry for your loss! Dr.Kellow was an amazing,kind hearted doctor.He did so much for my children that at the age of 22 and 24 we continued to have Dr Kellow as their Dr .we are deeply saddened for your loss.prayers to Dawn,children,family and friends.our hearts go out to you all .he will be deeply missed by many❤
My prayers and condolences to Dr. Kellow’s family. He was a great pediatrician to my three grandsons. I am absolutely convinced that my oldest grandson is alive today because of Dr. Kellow. He “caught” a cardiac problem that no one else had detected. My grandson was three years old and had to have surgery immediately. He is now 22 and a college student studying music with a bright future.
I pray his family feels God’s comfort in this very hard season of their lives.
I’m so sorry for your immeasurable loss! Dr. Kellow will truly be missed! He always remembered where and what my kids did in school! He was always quick to diagnose and refer my son to a vision specialist when necessary! Know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers!
We will miss you Dr. Kellow you were such an amazing Dr., Our hearts go out to the family during this time.
It was so sad when I first heard of Dr Bob passing I was in the office
Monday with my son and we joked some about college football I had the pleasure of 23 years of knowing Dr Bob he will be missed and so sorry to his family he was a great man and Doctor
Dr Kellow was my pediatrician from 7-19. In many ways I owe my life to this man. Manly from keeping my mother from killing me. That and treating me for strep, mono, ect.
Those who didn’t know him truly missed out. He was a great Dr and a wonderful man.
I hope the family finds solace in know that he was an incredible human being that truly made the world a better place.
After our pediatrician retired, Dr. Kellow took over my son’s care. He was just simply an above and beyond physician. When my son was getting too old to see him, Dr. Kellow had the “Buddy, you probably need a family practice doctor” conversation with him. We couldn’t imagine not seeing him anymore! My son is soon to be 30 yrs old and we were so sad to hear of his passing. He truly served his country and community well! He was a lovely person.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God’s presence cover you.
Our children have been patients of Dr. Kellow for 20 years out of his 27 years of service in Belleville. We will miss him dearly, as a person and as a doctor. Our hearts go out to every family member. Many hugs
Hannah-Celeste
Josiah
Jeremiah
Our deepest sympathy to Dawn, the children, family and many friends. We were blessed to not only call Bob a family doctor for our kids but also a friend. He was with us from the birth of our first child through our grand kids. He had the perfect bed side manner to talk with our daughter who has Down Syndrome or our son who is playing college baseball- he always took the time to care and offer encouragement no matter how busy his day may have been. It is obvious how much he loves his sweet wife and kids as well as his many golfing and travel friends- you could tell it by the look on his face when he told stories. He will be greatly missed as a permanent part of the community that many loved and trusted- our prayers to the family.
To Dawn and the rest of the Kellow Family, on behalf of of both the Vrooman Family and the Belleville Area Humane Society, our sincere condolences. Robert Kellow was an example of how to be a absolutely outstanding human being. He was the very best pediatrician to to our two children and an advocate to the Belleville Area Humane Society. Doctor Kellow was also a friend to our family and to all. We will miss him deeply. Blessings.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
We are so sorry for your loss. Dr. Kellow will be truly missed. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
For over 16 years Bob and his family have been part of our family’s lives. From working for Bob back in 2004-2006: as a boss, he was TOP NOTCH! Always calm, always fair, always friendly, always present. To seeing Katie at the front desk when we bring our girls into the office for appointments. We have had the privilege of having Bob as our daughter’s pediatric physician for just over 16 years. He always made our girls feel comfortable and REALLY listened to them when they came in for an appointment. He was interested in their futures, always giving good advice or bits of wisdom and we always left feeling like we just spent some time with an old friend instead of a physician. This news is shocking, saddening, and hard to understand. Our prayers are with his family and friends at a time when nothing makes sense. Much love and respect.
Amanda Payne and Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Dr. Kellow was our pediatrician. He was wonderful, patient and kind!
The Smith Family
Our deepest sympathy to Dr. Kellow’s family, friends, and staff. He was a wonderful pediatrician to our sons. Dr. Kellow took the time to listen and care, he was one of the best! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dawn, sending you and your family our deepest condolences on the loss of your loving husband. May the pain you feel now be nothing compared to the joy found within your memories of Bob. Bob will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Our thought and prayers are with you,
The Korte Family
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was my kids’ Dr for the past 15 years. He was so kind and reassuring no matter what issue we brought to him. He had a way of putting my mind at ease and letting the kids know that everything was going to be ok. What a great man he was, he will be greatly missed.
Mr. Robert Kellow was such an awesome Dr. to my two children as they grew up right before his eyes. He was a gentle soul and a great man. He was well liked by patients and staff. He will truly be missed. I am so sorry for your loss.
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of Dr Bob. We had the pro ledge of getting to know you both when our daughters were in school together and since then Dr Bob took excellent care of our grandchildren. The world will be a little dimmer without Bob’s shining light!!!! Our prayers are with you and your family as you travel down the road of grief. May God Bless all of you.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was Dr Kellow to my family. He took great care of our kids. I always teased my husband that he and Dr Kellow talked about everything except for the kids when my husband would take them to appointments. He will be so missed. Prayers for your family this holiday season.
My family was very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Kellow, He was my 2 sons pediatrician and was always, always patient, knowledgeable, thorough and so much more in his treatment and care for my sons and me as a parent as well. My sincere condolonsces(sp) to his family and friends. He was an important gift to so many children and parents. He will be missed
Dawn, I’m so very sorry for this incredibly painful time and loss. Praying for you and the kids. Praying God will give you comfort, peace, and beautiful memories to reflect on.
I am sorry for your loss. He was my daughters doctor, and will be missed. My condolences to his famiy. May he rest in peace.
Such a great doctor for my two boys. He will be missed and remembered as their pediatrician. Condolences to his family and friends.
Words cannot express how saddened our family is for the loss of Dr. Kellow. He was a trusted advisor for the health and well-being of our children, and always had time for questions and concerns. We honestly looked forward to appointments as he was always smiling and made you feel like you were the only patient he had to see that day. He never rushed. He leaves some very big shoes to fill…a task that may very well be impossible.
Our hearts ago out to his wife & children, family and co-workers who lost him so suddenly and way too soon.
You are in are thoughts, hearts and prayers.
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Kellow’s passing. We were blessed with him being our children’s Pediatrician from the beginning (now aged 24 and 25). Our youngest son just became a father himself a few short weeks ago and chose the only trusted Pediatrician he knew – Dr. Kellow. Our family extends our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family.
Dawn, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.
He will now be your guardian angel watching over and protecting you and the kids.
Hugs to you Dawn.
I honestly still can’t wrap my head around this loss. My family and I have loved him for many years. You trust someone so much with the care of your children and it’s so sad to think that we won’t ever have the same care that we experienced with Dr, Kellow. Look at how many lives he touched. He was most certainly a super hero to all of our children & children he took care of. You will forever be missed by us. Sending many hugs and prayers to his wife, children, & his staff.
Samantha, Ryan, Jordan, Madison, Presley & Tyson McKinney
The absolutely terrible news of Dr. Kellow passing away forced me to reflect on something. My daughter goes to Dr. Kellow, and I trusted him with her life. Every time he examined her. I am not sure there is a higher compliment to a person than placing your child’s life in one’s hands. Dr. Kellow met me in my most vulnerable places, and with his even tone and true listening ears, he eased all my fears. On the other end, I looked forward to my wellness visits to show off my girl to Dr. Kellow as he went through development questions; he always made me feel like I was slaying it as a mother. :). Truly, this is a huge loss to our community, and even more, I pray for his family. May God put his hand on your shoulders, wipe your tears, and undoubtedly, welcome Dr. Kellow into the gates of Heaven where he belongs.
Dr. Bob was such a nice, genuine guy. I really enjoyed calling on him during my pharmaceutical days in Belleville. I’m so shocked and saddened by his passing. The Kellow family is in my thoughts and prayers.