Dr. Robert Mitchell Rettie

1968-2020

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 at Stith Funeral Home in Danville. 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. Hugs from Home and the online guestbook can be found at www.stithcares.com.