Robert Thomas Cullen

Robert Thomas Cullen, M.D.

August 27th, 1954-May 24th, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Thomas Cullen, M.D., who departed this life on May 24th, 2025, at the age of 70. 

Bob was born in Oak Park, IL to the late Frank T. Cullen and the late Patricia Hewitt Cullen. One of eight siblings, he was a graduate of Ascension Catholic School (class of 1968), Archbishop 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, The UCLA Alumni Medical Student of the Year, and the Quigley Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award. Bob was also a prolific, award-winning writer and poet. He was 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, Bob leaned on his faith, deep love of his family, and indomitable will and dedication to complete his pediatric residency through Northwestern University Medical School at Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s Hospital). 

Bob was a person for others, guided by an unwavering compass of faith and his dedication to seeing the humanity in every person he encountered. He demonstrated this through his work as a pediatrician at Erie Family Health Center and The Children’s Place. He supported some of Chicagoland’s most vulnerable children, including children living with HIV and illnesses related to lead exposure, as well as undocumented and uninsured families. 

Bob devoted his life to his family. There wasn’t a day that you could not find him seated courtside at a sporting event, in the front row of endless dance and music performances, or helping to edit a paper on Shakespeare, Yeats, or Faulkner. His lap was the most coveted seat in the house. He was patience personified, and he had an uncanny ability to sit with his loved ones during their most challenging times and to celebrate with them during their highest highs. 

Bob lived his life with humility and empathy, and was often described as the funniest, kindest person in the room. He was a voracious reader, music aficionado, and movie buff. His love of nature led him to countless adventures and travels throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. He loved nothing more than helping to raise his children and grandchildren alongside his beloved, Mary, whom he met at the young age of 15. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Puccio Cullen, his daughter, Sarah Cullen Fuller, son-in-law, Dr. Brian Fuller, daughter, Laura Cullen Nihill, son-in-law, Kevin Nihill, and his beloved grandchildren, Alex, Ronan, Cullen, and 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. He was also brother-in-law to Frank Puccio (Sharyl), and the late Joseph Puccio (Linda). He was a beloved uncle to 18 nieces and nephews, great uncle to 30 grand-nieces and -nephews, godfather, doctor, dog grandpa to Luna the golden retriever, and longtime friend to many. He will be deeply missed. 

A funeral service will be held on June 21st, 2025, with memorial visitation beginning at 9 am, followed by a funeral mass at 10 am at Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, IL. 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.

Bob's entire life exemplified his abiding faith, hope, and love. In his final hours, he reminded us to be good and take care of each other. We will miss him dearly and cherish the memories shared. May he rest in eternal peace.