Support Bob Kelcourse's Memorial and Medical Bills

Hello everyone,

My name is Hannah, and I am reaching out to you all today with a heavy heart but also with a profound sense of gratitude and love. My dad, Bob Kelcourse, or “Leo,” as he was so lovingly called by his Dartmouth class of ’71, suddenly passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Safety Harbor, FL. My dad had been battling an illness for some time—unbeknownst to us until this past Monday, the 8th. During a recent hospital admission for a blood clot, Dad’s care team discovered two masses on his pancreas and liver. Biopsies were performed, and the results were shared with him by his provider on that Monday, which told us the findings were consistent with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer…the Big C.

He sure didn’t like receiving that news, but he was ready for a fight! He had just lost his eldest brother, Russell, to cancer the week before on July 2nd. In talks with my dad, he said he wasn’t sure if he was strong like his brother, my Uncle Russy, when it came to fighting the battle ahead of him. I reminded him that he’s strong like an ox—stubborn, too! And I would know…I got that trait from him. Though we all know and will remember my dad to be this strong, larger-than-life man, the truth is he was getting weaker in recent days. The toll of his health declining, his brother’s passing, and his most recent diagnosis weighed heavily on his heart. Ultimately, that beautiful heart of his stopped.

As the youngest of Bobby Leo’s four children, I have had the incredible privilege of witnessing firsthand the immense joy and warmth he brought into our lives and the lives of everyone he met. My dad was a lively, enigmatic man who loved his family and friends with unmatched fervor. To know him was to love him, and it didn’t take long to realize that you were in the presence of someone special. His talents were boundless, and he shared his gifts with us all. Through song. Through story. Through laughter. Through compassion. Through it all. You may have met him as a stranger, but you did not leave him as one. His infectious laugh, room-filling energy, and unwavering kindness made him a beacon of light in our lives. May his memory continue to guide and light our way.

We are raising funds to help cover the medical bills of his three recent hospitalizations, end-of-life arrangements, and a celebration of life for my dad. I know you all know he loved himself a gathering! These past months have been incredibly challenging for our family as we navigated his illnesses, and now we face the daunting financial burdens that come with such a loss. Your support will help us honor his memory and provide some much-needed relief during this difficult time.

We will keep everyone posted regarding the time and location of Bob’s Celebration of Life. We are looking at securing a venue for Sunday, July 28th. We hope you can join our family and friends in sharing stories, laughter, and tears as we remember this precious, wonderful person.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and support. Every little bit helps, and we are immensely grateful for any contribution you can make.

With gratitude,

Hannah