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BORN
1952
DIED
2024
Tod Kelder Obituary
Born: February 12, 1952
Died: March 5, 2024
Tod Douglas Kelder, age 72, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024, with his family by his side
Born February 12, 1952, to Harold and Frances Kelder, Tod grew up in Crystal Lake and graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1970. He graduated from Northern Illinois with a degree in English. Prior to finding his calling, Tod worked as a respiratory and hemodialysis tech. In 1978, Tod began his education at Texas Heart Institute where he would start his journey of becoming a Perfusionist. He often described going on pump as 99% terror and 1% excitement. He absolutely loved his job for over 30 years. Even in Tod's later years, he could routinely spin off the blood flow through the human heart.
In 1979, Tod married Linda Nusbaum Roberts. Together they traveled across the country on a motorcycle with nothing but a map and some cash. They resided in Indianapolis, Indiana before they, and their three children moved to Tyler, Texas.
Tod is survived by his children Rick Roberts, Stephanie (Brandon) Lowery, Brittany (Ryan) Malone, five grandchildren, all of Texas, and a sister, Tamra Kelder Legel (Ron) of Crystal Lake.
Tod was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Linda. His ashes will be interred next to his wife in Tyler, Texas. Tod will always be remembered and cherished by all/that knew him. We could not have asked for a better brother, husband, father and grandparent. A celebration of life will be held later.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tod Kelder
3 Entries
Allan Dito
December 15, 2024
Tod and I were classmates at Texas Heart Institute in 1978. He was a very good friend and a wonderful person, if I needed something Tod was always there to help weather it was a medical question or a ride somewhere. We spent a lot of time together and shared many meals at Denny´s. I still have his Texas license plate he gave to me after graduation, he couldn´t wait to get on the road to see Linda. Unfournately we lost touch after a few years and recently I was thinking about him and wanted to look him up. This is what I found and am truly sad to hear of his passing. I´ve never met his children but they should know what a wonderful man and good friend he was. Rest in Peace Tod, I´ll never forget you.
Your good friend
Allan Dito
Paul Stuck
November 27, 2024
Tod and I attended Crystal Lake Community High School together. He was always a quiet and thoughtful person.
After school I saw him twice. Once at Sherman Hispural in Elgin while my father was there taking tests for his heart condition and once at a class reunion. I considered him a friend.
Janis Dwyer Curtiss
April 17, 2024
So sorry to hear this sad news. I worked with Tod in Indy. We started the open heart program together. It was completely new and foreign to me as an ortho nurse. If Tod was experiencing 99% terror-it certainly didn´t show . He was always calm and very much in control. Honestly i believe it transferred to me as he helped me navigate an entirely new part of surgery. I had the utmost respect for him and enjoyed working with him on Open heart cases . So sorry for your loss .
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