Dr. Robert Kechely, a longtime Helena pediatrician who provided care for thousands of local children passed away last weekend after more than 25 years in practice.

Kechely, 63, died while scuba diving in Hawaii with his wife and two youngest children. He was an experienced diver, and the cause of his death is unknown. An autopsy is being performed in Hawaii.

"He loved life and he lived life to the fullest and he died loving life," his wife, Darlene, said Tuesday.

A familiar face on the sidelines at Capital High School football games, Kechely was considered the unofficial team doctor, and sideline coach to his youngest son, Jager, 18.

"He just wanted to be there and help when he could," said Mark Samson, former Capital High football coach. "I don't think he ever missed a game in the last two years."

But beyond the role he played on the sidelines, Kechely's interest in Capital High football was primarily a part of his role as a father. Over the years, three of his seven sons played football for Capital High.

According to his loved ones, Kechely was a passionate, hands-on father. He started his family adopting three boys and went on to have another four before the much-celebrated birth of his only daughter, Celeste, 14.

As a pediatrician, Kechely was well respected in the community, and was known for his compassion and dedicated service.

"He would never, ever turn a patient away," Darlene remembers. "It made no difference if they could pay or not."

When he wasn't making rounds, or treating patients, his family said he would take to the mountains, hunting or to area streams and rivers to fish. Kechely made his home at a ranch on MacDonald Pass, and took an active role in its day-to-day operations. At the time of his death, the family's dream home was under construction, another project his family said he was actively involved in.

Kechely was one of the founders of Camp Huff 'n Puff, and served on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations including Shodair Hospital, Montana Lung Association and the Red Cross. He was a member of the International Church of Helena, and active in the congregation.

Reporter Laura Tode can be reached at 447-4081 or by e-mail at laura.tode@helenair.com.