Dr. Robert Lewis Onello

Dr. Robert Lewis Onello passed away on April 29, 2020.  While saddened by his passing, we celebrate our Dad’s amazing 94 years of accomplishments.  Robert was born in San Francisco, CA on May 31, 1925.  His childhood was spent in California and Hawaii. Dad was on the Island during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and those memories stayed with him forever.

After a brief stint in the Army, Dad attended Creighton Dental School, where he met his dear, sweet Kathleen Monroe.  After a double wedding with mom’s sister Ruth and fellow dentist, Ed Brown, they moved to Mobridge, South Dakota and opened Dad’s first dental practice.  It is in Mobridge that their children Jim, Ann, Maureen & Danny were born.  In early 1960, Dad & Mom moved his dental practice to Leavenworth, Kansas where their fifth child, Monica was born.

For the next 40+ years, dad ran a successful dental practice in Leavenworth.  His patients loved him, as he was honest, fair & talented.  He had a soft heart for those in need and endeavored to support them as they moved ahead in life. His children are immensely proud of the man he was and the service he provided for his community.

After our brother Danny and Mom passed away (1999 & 2003), Dad moved to Columbia, MO in May 2005, where Monica & Darrell were raising their family.  It was a blessing for Dad to be a part of his three granddaughters (Morgan, Riley & Logan) lives. His son-in-law, Darrell, was Doc’s right-hand man.  Robert’s son Jim and his daughter, Katie Mae, moved to Columbia in 2012.  As the ‘Onello Hub’ was now in Columbia, it provided great holiday memories when daughter Ann and son-in-law, Gary, visited with their children, Kaelyn and Justin. His daughter, Maureen and her husband, Eddie, run a family business that keeps them in Illinois. Her daughter, Jeanine & husband Randy, provided Dad with his only great-grandchildren, Layla & Randy Jr.  Maureen’s daughter, Monica, previously passed away, which was a great sadness for Dad & Mom.

Dad’s storytelling abilities were legendary!! His memory was razor sharp and he loved to share stories of his life.  We will miss those the most. Dad left this earth knowing that he was fiercely loved & respected.  To Bobby, Robert, Dad, Bob, Doc O, Grandpa and Papa O: You were and are the cutest, sweetest man…you will be missed and forever remembered in our hearts.  

Robert will have a private burial at Leavenworth National Ceremony. A funeral mass and celebration of life will follow in Columbia, MO, once COVID restrictions allow.  If desired, donations in Dad’s name can be made to Sacred Heart Parish, 1401 2nd Ave, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Robert Lewis Onello, please visit our floral store.