Robert Thomas Cullen, M.D., 70, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on May 24, 2025. Born on Aug. 27, 1954 to the late Frank T. Cullen and the late Patricia Hewitt Cullen, he was one of eight siblings. A graduate of Ascension Catholic School (class of 1968), Quigley Seminary North (class of 1972), the University of California Santa Cruz, and the University of California Los Angeles Medical School, he received prestigious awards throughout his academic and medical careers, including consecutive California Regents Scholarships, UCLA Alumni Medical Student of the Year, and the Quigley Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was also a prolific, award-winning writer and poet, a Spanish, Chinese, and Latin scholar and received honors for his literary translations.
Despite suffering a catastrophic spinal cord injury at the age of 33, he leaned on his faith, his family, and his indomitable will and dedication to complete his pediatric residency through Northwestern University Medical School at Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s Hospital).
He was a person for others, dedicated to seeing the humanity in every person, which he demonstrated this through his work as a pediatrician at Erie Family Health Center and The Children’s Place. He worked with some of the most vulnerable, including children living with HIV and illnesses related to lead exposure, as well as undocumented and uninsured families.
At home, his lap was the most coveted seat in the house. Patience personified, he saw his loved ones through their most challenging times and celebrated with them during their highest highs. He was often described as the funniest, kindest person in the room. A voracious reader, music aficionado, and movie buff, his love of nature led him on travels through the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and Puerto Rico alongside his wife, Mary, whom he met at the age of 15.
Bob is survived by Mary Puccio Cullen, his wife of 48 years; his daughter, Sarah Cullen Fuller; his son-in-law, Dr. Brian Fuller; his daughter, Laura Cullen Nihill; his son-in-law, Kevin Nihill; and his grandchildren, Alex, Ronan, Cullen, and a new baby who will be born in July to Laura and Kevin. Bob was one of eight siblings, Michael (Alice), the late John Cullen (Julie Weber), Kathleen (Joe Verhauz), Terrence (Geri), F. Thomas (Mary), Edward (Linda), and Daniel Cullen; the brother-in-law to Frank Puccio (Sharyl), and the late Joseph Puccio (Linda); the uncle of 18 nieces and nephews; great-uncle of 30 grand-nieces and –nephews; godfather, doctor, and dog grandpa to Luna the golden retriever; and longtime friend to many.
A funeral service will be held on June 21, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park. Father Richard Fragomeni will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Children’s Chicago, or Doctors Without Borders in memory of Dr. Robert T. Cullen.