Menu
Dr. Robb Rettie
July 14, 1968 ~ August 19, 2020
Dr. Robert Mitchell Rettie, 52, died Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at his home in Danville, Kentucky, in the company of his family.
Robb was born in Hanford, California, to Robert W. and Ruth Ann Rettie on July 14, 1968. He attended Stuttgart American High School in Germany, and graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1986. He then attended Hopkinsville Community College and the University of Kentucky before graduating from the UK College of Medicine and commencing his 27-year career as a pediatrician. After moving to Danville, Robb was a partner with Danville Pediatrics for over 15 years before helping establish a pediatric practice with CHI Saint Joseph Health in Nicholasville.
Robb spent his time with his family, talking about politics and history while baking pot-pies and scones, and griddling up perfect pancakes. He loved to paint: decorating the walls of his daughter’s nursery with Dr. Seuss characters, and her bedroom with dinosaurs; quietly (and sometimes surreptitiously) improving the workspaces of his colleagues; and recently completing several murals in Paris and Lexington, Kentucky. He supported local artists by buying and displaying their art. Robb enjoyed learning about and pondering the history of Antarctica and the individuals who first explored it, and in 2008, he and his family were fortunate enough to visit Antarctica and do a little exploring of their own.
In 1998, Robb and his wife of 30 years, Yvonne Elizabeth Rettie, moved to Danville, and in 2015 they bought their neighbor’s house, a structure dating back to 1846, and began to remodel it. Once they were finished, they liked it so much they moved all their furniture across the driveway, and sold the house they emptied.
Robb’s generous laughter, gentle kindnesses, and sincere warmth made people feel instantly welcome. He loved life and spread that pleasure and enjoyment to everyone around him with his wry humor. A man of many layers and joys, Robb will remain in our hearts.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Robb is survived by one daughter, Victoria Rae Rettie, and two brothers, Gerald Leith Rettie and Christopher Scott Rettie. His friends, peers, and patients are welcome to join his family for a visitation on Wednesday, August 26, at 5pm. A graveside service for family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or buy local art.
Visitation: 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Stith Funeral Home in Danville
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Prayers and deepest sympathy.
So much love.
I’ve never met Dr. Rettie. Throughout the years in healthcare I have heard repeatedly what a wonderful person and physician Robb was. Everyone loved him. When my daughter struggled to find clinical sites in her APRN program, he agreed to mentor her. The world has lost a precious soul. God bless the family. May you treasure all those special moments shared together.
To the family and friends of Dr Rettie I send my prayers and condolences. It just broke my heart to hear of his passing. He was both of my children’s pediatricians when he practiced at Danville pediatrics. He was always so sweet as caring . Me as a parent I think he was one of the best pediatricians. RIP Dr Rettie.
RIP, Dr. Robb.
Praying for the family.
Lapp Hart’s are hurting
Has hurt hearts
Sorry for your loss great man
Fly high, friend
Dr Rettie was one of the most sincere physicians I’ve ever known. He took genuine interest in his patients and the affairs at EMRMC. Plus his energy, smile and zest were contagious. Fly high Dr Rettie. You were the best of the best!
Yvonne, Vickie and all those who loved Robb. We are very sorry. Our fond memories of Robb will always be with us.
So sad. Wonderful doctor.
What a kind, sweet man. He was
Our deepest Sympathy.
Was in awe of his gingerbread
Prayers for falmoly
To the friends and family of Dr. Rettie, you have my sincerest condolences. Robb was such a warm, kind pediatrician to my sons and I will always remember his love for art. His life force will be missed here. May every memory be a blessing.
Such a sweet person
A great and fun friend
Prayer for the family
So sorry for your loss! Prayer
So sorry for your loss
The Hammie Family sends its heartfelt condolences to the Retti family. Dr. Retti will certainly missed. Your kindness and your great sense of humor will always be remembered alongside your collection of dinosaurs. For Dr. Retti\’s daughter; your dad was a beautiful Spirit who was greatly admired. He never missed an opportunity to mention his daughter. Continue to make him proud!
Prayers for all.
To Dr. Rettie’s family, I was so saddened to hear of Dr. Rettie’s passing. I knew Dr. Rettie when I worked as a nurse at UK many years ago and he was a resident. I believe he was the type of doctor who cared deeply for his patients. As a nurse I knew that if I had to call him about a patient he would listen to what I had to say. He valued our opinions. I haven’t seen Dr. Rettie in over 20 years but I remember him as an intelligent, compassionate man. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.❤️ Shawnda Combs
We were very sad to hear of Dr. Rettie’s passing. Best doctor my son ever had! We have certainly missed him this past year and are so sorry we will have to continue missing him. He truly was genuine and one of a kind. Always went that extra mile to extend the best care and attention to all of his patients. What an amazing spirit and kind soul. May he rest in Heaven and watch over his loved ones. Love, hugs and prayers to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless Your Soul. Rest Easy
May the Lord bless & keep you.
We will miss you! RIP
We love you so!!
Miss and love you so!!
Rest easy dear friend
Deepest Sympathy. Prayers !
You will be truly missed.
Dr Rettie, You will be truly missed. Trey loved and trusted you so very much. Prayers for your family. ♥
Dr. Rettie was a fantastic doctor and a truly awesome person to know. He will be sorely missed by our family. Please accept our condolences on the loss of such a wonderful man.
So sorry for your loss
Heaven is brighter …
You will be missed. Saying pra
So very sorry for your loss.
Sent with our Deepest Sympathy
Yvonne you and Vicki are in our thoughts. I think back to the wonderful table he painted for the Jennie Rogers Elementry fundraiser. It was perfect! So generous in time and talent.
Dr. Rettie was a wonderful person who will be deeply missed. He was my kids Dr. from the time my daughter was born until he left Danville Peds. My daughter loved going to him and he always spoke to her when he saw her out.
Great doctor
Deepest condolences.
We will miss you Dr Rettie!!!!
He was such a wonderful man and great with kids. He such fabulous ties! We left Danville Pediatrics shortly after he left because there wasn\’t a doctor like him. He was my son\’s favorite doctor. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. He will truly be missed.
My family met Dr. Rettie at UK Children’s Hospital in 1995 when my 4 month old son was In the Pediatric ICU for 6 weeks due to Infant Botulism. He was kind and was very interested in his case because it was rare. He helped us cope with making sure we knew our son would be okay, it was just going to be a long haul. Met him again at Danville Peds when we moved back to this area. He was a great doctor and kind hearted man .
Dr.Rettie was an amazing pediatrician who my kids adores and has been such a blessing to us over the years. Many prayers for your family
Dr. Rettie was my sons pediatrician. He was a wonderful man that always took time to listen to us. He will be greatly missed. We will keep his loved ones in our prayers.
Thank you Dr Robb!
Dr. Robb went above and beyond for everyone he cared for. It’s evident by all the comments here and online. Our first child was born early and he never rushed when we would ask questions. He would genuinely listen and speak to our fears with confidence that we would make it through. That is a rare person who would take so much time assuring a new parent, and even seasoned parents, that they are able and he believes in their abilities. He wasn’t just strictly business, he was also able to have fun and enjoy every person he was interacting with. He will be greatly missed and our prayers are with his wife and daughter and extended family!
Thank for being an amazing Dr!
He was a really good doctor and he was also a great person he was always there for his patiences he always had a smile on his face
He was a special kind of man and a great doctor that truly cared for his patients. He will be forever remembered by my family and my children. He was a big supporter of local businesses and we always enjoyed seeing him when he came into our business and took time to have extra conversations on unique topics. God received an angel.
I worked with Rob during his residency at UK. He was a wonderful doctor and a very warm hearted guy. So sorry for your loss>
Robb’s light shines…
We are so sad to hear of Robb\’s passing, and extend our deepest sympathies to all his family. We think back to a summer many years ago when Robb actually made a couple old-fashioned house-calls, on his walk from his house to Danville Peds, stopping in to check on our daughter during a mysterious illness. Thank you to the parents and siblings and spouse and daughter who shaped and graciously shared this remarkably kind man.
Much Sympathy & Prayers
I am so sorry to hear of this loss. I will be praying for his family.
Dr. Rettie was my granddaughter’s Doctor. He was always compassionate, caring and would spend time answering any questions or concerns that might come up during her visits. He will be deeply missed by her and me. R.I.P.
Robb was in my study group in med school many years ago now. Everyone liked him. He was funny and kind , and managed to be both wise and humble. I am truly sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Robert at Kroger during high school. Prayers.
Remembering you in our prayers
Your legacy ripples outward.
❤️❤️❤️
Love and prayers from all of us here at Willow Creek Sanctuary
BEST Neighbor, Dr., Friend!
A (new, way back when) family couldn\’t have asked for a better neighbor, friend, and pediatrician. You\’ll be missed, Robb.
Sending our love and prayers.
I worked with Dr Rettie at EMRMC and I can say he was so very kind, humble, compassionate and caring physician and person. He truly had a servant\’s heart.
Our hearts are devastated the world has lost such a wonderful, caring man. Dr. Rettie was our three kids pediatrician and as new parents, coming here far from family he guided us through parenthood with love and grace and that wonderful light and gentle smile and disposition we will never forget. We truly are thankful to have known him and will miss him dearly. Prayers for your family. We are so sorry for this loss. He was truly a gem.
Such a wonderful Doctor.
So very sad to hear this news about Dr. Rettie. I knew him when we was a resident at UK and he always had the warmest, most compassionate smile and a great sense of humor. He was an awesome physician and I was looking forward to working with him again at CHI Saint Joseph Health System. My sincere condolences to his family.
God bless you and your family. Thank you for all the great doctors visits! We truly appreciate you
Rest in peace. My condolences.
Rest in peace. My condolences.
My sympathy to your entire family for your loss. Rob sparkled even as a high school student when he painted a backdrop for our production of Camelot and he continued to sparkle with talent and generosity his entire life.
Kimberly
Kimberly
Amazing friend & co-worker
Amazing friend & co-worker
Amazing friend & co-worker
Amazing friend & co-worker
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Robert. He was so much fun to be around. Our paths crossed while working at Kroger many years ago. He kept us laughing all the time, just a great guy. When he came home to Hopkinsville he would come in and see us, we were always glad to see him. We offer our most sincere condolences and pray your family find peace and healing in the coming days . Our love ones my be gone but the memories will last forever.
My daughter had been one of Dr. Rettie\’s patients. She adored Dr. Rettie, he was the only doctor she evwn fully trusted. It was easy though because he was so amazing with her. He never rushed us, he always took his time with every single appointment and made sure we were satisfied when we left. I hated finding a new pediatrician. I just of his passing the other day. He will be truly missed and know that his patients loved him greatly. I know my daughter did very much.