Harold Eugene Kelch

Harold E. Kelch, M.D., age 95, passed away May 18, 2026 at Middleton

Senior Living in Granville, Ohio. Harold was born February 1, 1931 in

Logan, Ohio to the late Dr. Albert and Myrtle Jean Kelch. He grew up in

Lancaster, graduating from Lancaster High School in 1949. He

distinguished himself as a drum major, baseball player, and scholar. He

graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1952, Cum Laude, and went on

to medical school. He graduated Cum Laude from Washington University

Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956. That summer he married

Carol Anne Risch of Logan, Ohio and they moved to Cleveland, Ohio for

Harold’s residency in Internal Medicine at University Hospital of Cleveland

Western Reserve. He was called into active duty in the US Army in 1958

where he was commissioned as a Captain in the Medical Corps. He and

Carol spent three years serving at a US Army hospital in the beautiful little

spa town of Bad Kreuznach, Germany. The time overseas fueled a love of

travel and photography. They returned to Columbus, Ohio for a residency in

OB GYN at The Ohio State University. In 1965, he joined Donald Jones MD

in his practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Newark, Ohio and practiced

for 26 years, later joined by Dr. A.J. Eckhardt, M.D., and Dr. Nicholas Reed,

M.D.

After delivering thousands of babies in Licking County, Harold retired in

1991. A highlight of retirement was Harold and Carol’s five separate six-

week trips to Kenya to work at Tenwek Mission Hospital in the Rift Valley.

Harold also enjoyed his family, his small tree farm (“Deer Tracks”) in SE

Licking County, travel, three generations of Labrador Retrievers (Alex &

Zach), hunting, photography, the OSU Buckeyes, and serving the

community. Harold was a 50-year member of Second Presbyterian Church

in Newark where he was an elder. He was a 50+year member of the Rotary

Club. He volunteered at the food pantry, Heartbeats, Licking County

Hospice, Newark Maenerchor, and several other social and service

organizations in Licking County. He was a Diplomat of the American Board

of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the

Department Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Ohio State University School

of Medicine, and Member of the American College of Obstetrics and

Gynecology.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his beloved

wife of nearly seventy years, Carol Risch Kelch; his brother, Oakley; his

children Robert (Beth) Kelch, Jane Wilde, and Richard (Lisa) Kelch, and six

grandchildren (Rebecca Kelch, Timothy (Amanda) Kelch, Jennifer Wilde,

Emily Kelch, Daniel (Hanna) Kelch, and Matthew Kelch.

Harold was a highly respected physician, who spent many sleepless nights

delivering babies and caring for his patients. He was generous, wise,

humorous, and talented. He enjoyed reading the Bible, learning, and

sharing his faith with others. Jesus’ words from John 11:26 were his hope:

“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Harold leaves a rich

legacy of faith and faithfulness.

Harold will be buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Logan, Ohio. There will be a

small private celebration of his life under the care of Roberts Funeral Home

in Logan, Ohio. Memorial gifts may be made in his honor to Samaritan’s

Purse or Ohio Living Hospice. We wish to thank the staff at Middleton

Senior Living, and especially the caregivers in the Memory Care unit, and

the staff of Ohio Living Hospice for their compassionate care for over the

past two years.

Arrangements by Roberts Funeral Home in Logan, Ohio.

Letters of condolence may be left at www.robertsfuneralhomelogan.com.

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