Robert Kennedy Teel IV

1968 - 2016

Robert (Robbie) Kennedy Teel IV was born in Clearwater, Florida, in October 1968. In 1972, his family moved to Fairbanks. Robert was a proud graduate of Lathrop High School's class of 1987.
Anyone who knew Robert knew what an avid sports fan he was, especially of hockey. He loved the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and the UAF Nanooks. Rob had the unique ability to remember sports statistics. You could ask him who played second base in the 1990 World Series, and he would almost immediately tell you the player's name.
Robert was a very special person. To describe him as a fighter is an understatement. While he faced health issues from the time he was born, in 1999, he became the first person to have a bloodless heart transplant at USC in Los Angeles. He was told the average life span of a heart transplant recipient was 10 years, yet he defied the odds and lived for 16 years with that heart. While his transplant served him well, at the same time, the anti-rejection medications necessary to keep alive would eventually take their toll.
2012 would bring Robert's next health challenge, kidney failure. After 42 years in Alaska, in October 2014, Robert and his mother moved back to Florida where he was placed on a kidney transplant list in Gainesville. A few months later, he learned he had kidney cancer. On Feb. 12, 2016, at age 47, Robert lost his courageous fight with cancer.
He will always be remembered for his positive attitude and kindness to everyone.
In addition to Rob's love of sports, he had another, more important aspect of his life. That was his loyalty to his God, Jehovah. No matter what Rob was facing with his health, you could count on him being at his weekly meetings at the Kingdom Hall. He wholeheartedly believed what the Bible teaches regarding the earthly paradise hope that's held out to mankind and it was his goal to be a part of the promise made in Psalm 37:29.
As his days grew short, he drew comfort knowing that while he would fall asleep in death, he had faith in the resurrection promise made at John 11:25, " ... I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life."
He was proceeded in death by his father, Robert Teel III. He is survived by his mother, Mary Teel, and sister, Sheila Reynolds, of Gainesville, Florida; brother Paul and wife Samara and nephews and nieces Shane, Rachelle and Rayna Reynolds, and Jonathan and Joshua Teel, all of Fairbanks. He is also survived by his brother from another mother, John Bachner, his loyal friend since kindergarten, and wife Nicole.
A memorial will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 1247 Old Steese Highway at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th, Gainesville, FL 32606.
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