Robert “Bob” Kent Koelle, age 79, of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away on January 4, 2026, at Alive Hospice, in Murfreesboro, TN. A native of Columbia, Maryland, Bob was born on August 1, 1946, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Richard Carl Koelle and Evelyn Newbold Smith Lee Koelle.
A skilled tradesman, Bob was known for his generous spirit and his willingness to lend a hand to neighbors, friends, and family alike. He was a member of the Anglican Episcopal Church and found great peace working in his yard and tending to his home. Bob and his late wife, Donna Hood Koelle, shared a love for travel, frequently visiting the beach and the Caribbean to enjoy the sun and sea.
He is survived by his daughter, Mona Koelle (Michael) Terrell; his brother, Richard Newbold (Heather) Koelle; his sister, Evelyn Newbold Koelle (Mike) Hickok; brother-in-law, James P. Hood, III; and his beloved nieces and nephews: Richard Koelle, Brett Koelle, Megan Koelle (Peter) Slootmaker, and James P. Hood, IV.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Champ Cemetery, with Michael Terrell and Richard Newbold Koelle officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation from 11:00 AM until 12:15 PM at Higgins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Champ Cemetery, c/o Susie Davenport, 308 W. Green Hill Road, McMinnville, TN 37110, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Robert Kent Koelle.
He & Donna were great Columbia neighbors & Oakland Mills friends. We miss them both, and may their memories be a blessing to Mona & family. Sue, Steve & Beth Sternheimer
Bob was a great friend and neighbor. He and Donna moved next door to us around 1973. We couldn’t have had better neighbors. We all shared many holiday celebration with neighbors. Bob was always there when we needed help.
I miss him. I am glad that he had a fantastic caring daughter, Mona and son-in law Michael.
Bob loved working on home projects with Mona.
Bob loved tending to his garden.
He is missed in our neighborhood.
Bob will be missed but not forgotten
Ginny Thomas
Bob was also a good athlete during his younger years, serving as captain of the Radnor High School football team and being named to local all-star teams. He later studied computer technology in its early days and had a successful career in this field.