Robert Charles McCullough, M.D.

Robert Charles McCullough, 92, passed from this life Monday, August 14, 2017 at his home in Tonganoxie, Kansas. He was born to Charles Joseph McCullough and Clara Adelia Throckmorton on April 28, 1925 in Denver, Colorado. His father died when he was quite young, at which time his mother relocated to Delphos, Kansas to be close to his grandmother. He remained in Delphos until he graduated from Delphos High School in 1943. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves. He was called into service during WWII and acted as the Chief of the Surgical Crew on a hospital ship in the Pacific Theatre. Following his discharge at the end of the war, he attended the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education and Biological Science. He taught mathematics and sciences in Oakley, Kansas and Aurora, Colorado. In 1951, during the Korean War, he joined the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) as a medic and served as a staff sergeant NCOC. He remained in the Public Health Reserves for 20 years. He returned to school and graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1958. He practiced medicine in Colorado Springs until 1966, when he moved his family to Kansas, eventually settling in Goodland, Kansas. He remained in Goodland until his wife died in 2004, at which time he retired and moved to Eastern Kansas to be closer to his children. He resided there for the remainder of his life.

Robert was very active in the community and church. At various times, he served on the City Council, School Board, Sherman County Medical Center Board, the parish board at OLPH Catholic Church, and as the EMT supervisor and County Coroner. He was a Boy Scouts Master, School Sports Team physician, a Master Gardener, as well as a life-member of the VFW and 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus. He had a love for reading, gardening, and raising animals, which he continued to enjoy his entire life.

On December 27, 1950, he married Mary Clare Hally. Together they had nine children. She preceded him in death in 2004. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Phyllis Arehart, sons, Timothy McCullough and Kevin McCullough, and daughter, Mary Pat Daley.

Surviving him are his children Eileen Brunnemer (Jay), Patrick McCullough (Tess), Maureen Davidson (Larry), Sheila McCullough-Culver (Phillip), Colleen Janner (Bill), and Finnian McCullough (Amber), 19 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.

A parish rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. with a visitation to follow on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Delphos, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Knights of Columbus Council 1372 and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

4 Condolences

  1. Jerry Denning on August 17, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    It was a pleasure to know Robert, a.ka., “Dr. Bob,” as a friend the last several years. I will miss his quiet demeanor, strength of character, and perceptive sense of humor. You could count on him to make a worthwhile contribution to a conversation on just about any topic. I believe those of us he takes leave of may rejoice that his last flight, to rejoin his Maker and host of friends, will be his best.



  2. Bob and Francie Soetaert on August 18, 2017 at 11:19 am

    Condolences to you Maureen, and to your family. Your father left you a legacy of a. Life well lived.
    He overcame hardships, twice served his country, and became a self made man.
    When all is said and done, the ultimate compliment that can be paid is, “your daddy was a good man.”



  3. Peggy Baehler Bagley on August 25, 2017 at 12:12 pm

    Thoughts and prayers to the family



  4. Joseph G. McKinley on November 3, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Joseph G. and Sally McKinley

    Condolences to your family on the passing of your father. I met him on the first day of medical school when we were assigned to the same anatomy table with Mark Levin. He was a good friend and a good man. We have kept in contact, and I will miss him. I know that we will meet again.

    Joe



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