Robert Smith Ellis

July 13, 1926 – December 24, 2024

With deep sorrow and profound love, we share that Doctor Bob/Bob/Poppa, age 98, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve, 2024, surrounded by family and secure in the knowledge of God’s grace and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on July 13, 1926, Bob was the oldest of the four boys of Gladys (Smith) and Joseph Ellis. After the untimely death of his father and with the onset of World War II, young Bob and his family moved to Oklahoma City when his mother married Dr. Ray Balyeat, who later welcomed another son to the boisterous clan. Bob grew up in a time of great change, experiencing the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war era, all of which shaped his resilient and generous spirit. He had a knack for keeping up with the latest tech trends, always eager to learn and adapt to new tools and gadgets.

Dr. Bob was a distinguished physician whose lifelong commitment to both education and patient care earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues, patients, and the community. He spent two years at The University of Oklahoma before moving straight to medical school. He received his medical degree from Chicago’s Northwestern Medical School in 1950 and began his medical career in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, while concurrently serving as a flight surgeon and Captain in the US Air Force Medical Corp. Following in the medical interests of his stepfather, Bob completed an allergy fellowship at University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1956 and moved home to practice at Oklahoma City’s Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic. Dr. Bob was the first board certified allergist in Oklahoma and served the Oklahoma community for almost 50 years. He was a thoughtful and compassionate healer to his patients and a mentor, teacher and role model to his students as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He was also a founding member of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Health Foundation and a member of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology.

A man of many interests, Bob was a pioneer in the development of Limousin cattle in the region where an innovative approach earned him respect within the cattle breeding community. He applied his intellect to business as a board member of Local Federal Savings and Loan and Liberty Bank. Bob was a lifetime Phi Gam and an avid OU football fan, rarely missed a game and proudly wore his OU hat even during visits to family in Austin, always delighted to demonstrate his loyalty to the Sooners. He also found great joy in golf, as a spectator and regular at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, sharing many memorable rounds with friends and family. His love for the outdoors extended to competitive trap shooting, where he demonstrated both skill and sportsmanship, and to hunting, a hobby he cherished as a connection with nature and his loved ones. Bob’s pursuits reflected his vibrant spirit and the joy he found in both competition and camaraderie.

Over the years, Bob served as a trustee of Casady School and in volunteer leadership roles with the United Way, Allied Arts and the Classen High School Scholarship Committee. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation recognized Nancy and Bob, a pioneering donor, with its 2024 MS Advocate Award. His generosity to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation ensures that his legacy of service and philanthropy will continue to benefit future generations.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, his brothers, Joe Ellis (Eunice), Richard Ellis and Dr. Hal Balyeat, his former wife, Betty Schmierer Ellis, and his daughter, Elizabeth Ellis Meadors. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Nancy Payne Ellis, his brother, Charles Ellis (Dorothy), his sisters-in-law, Carla Ellis and Marilyn Balyeat (Dr. William Hawley), his children, Kathleen Ellis Funston, Robert S. Ellis, Jr (Gretchen) and Michael Ellis (Tiffany Bledsoe), Nancy’s children, Kathy Payne Brown (Hal), Nan Payne (Bonnie Lewis), Stephen Bond Payne (Lori) and Angela Payne Ferguson (Brian), 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated caregivers who provided compassionate support during the final year and a half of Bob's long, fulfilling life. Their unwavering care, kindness, and attention allowed him to live his last days at home with comfort and dignity.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the charity of your choice. We will celebrate Bob’s life with a memorial service on Saturday, January 4th, at 3:00 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 North Shartel, Oklahoma City.