The Acquisition and Fund
Our world is significantly emptier with the passing of Robert G. “Doc” Raylove, (aka Bobby Radeloff), Doctor of Acupuncture, talented musician, wonderful husband, loving father, and patron of the Arts. He graciously gave his voice, his talent, and his indomitable spirit to Cape Cod's art and cultural community.
The Fund has been established with the hope of first acquiring his favorite piece by Stephen Whittlesey, “In House,” (pictured below), and on display on the Sculpture Porch at the Museum.
Please consider donating to this fitting tribute to Robert's memory
Robert G. “Doc” Raylove , aka Bobby Radeloff, 68, of Dennisport, MA, passed peacefully at his home on September 7, 2017, after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Raylove was predeceased by his father, Sidney Radeloff, and is survived by his mother, Lorraine Wincor, his sister, Lyn Benjamin, his wife Edith A. (Deede) Tonelli, his son, Jonathan Tonelli-Raylove, and his daughter, Alanna Tonelli-Raylove. He was born in Philadelphia, but chose to live near the ocean, in Miami, Los Angeles, and on Cape Cod, for most of his adult life.
Although he was accepted at Goddard College to study sculpture and film, his talent and passion for music moved him in a different direction. Early on, he was a founding member, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and lead singer of “Woody’s Truck Stop,” a popular Philadelphia folk-blues-rock band that included Todd Rundgren as a member, and that opened for major acts, such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Byrds, The Doors, and Cream. His next band was “Red Cheek,” which did well enough to cut an album with Armadillo Records in Miami. After spending time in New York, he headed to Los Angeles, where he started a band, “Balls of Fire,” that included Peter Criss, later a co-founder of “Kiss. “
While in Los Angeles, he married Deede Tonelli, and he started his study of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He graduated with a Masters in Oriental Medicine from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, moved to Cape Cod in 2000, and started his practice in Barnstable Village. Later he moved to West Barnstable, and for several years, his passionate focus was on his patients and his family. By 2010, however, he decided to get back into music, at the urging of friends and family, including Elizabeth Doriss, a long-time friend and musician. He sat in with Allen McGarry and Friends, and played in several other bands, before starting The Doc Raylove Ensemble in 2013. The Ensemble became the Saturday-night live-jazz staple at Embargo on Main Street in Hyannis for three years, until earlier this year, when he decided to retire. The Ensemble was also frequently heard at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, where he generously donated his time and his talent.
Those who came in touch with him knew him as a warm, loving, and compassionate man, with an infectious smile and a quirky sense of humor. He felt a strong connection to all of his patients, was constantly learning new ways to help them, and was often said to perform “miracles” of healing. His warm singing voice, passionate harmonica riffs, and multi-instrumental performances also gave enjoyment and pleasure to his many enthusiastic fans.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on October 7, 2017, at West Parish of Barnstable, 2049 Meetinghouse Road (Route 149), West Barnstable. A celebration of his life and music will follow at 1685 Main Street, West Barnstable, at which all fellow musicians, patients, and friends are invited to express their memories at an open mic. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert G. Raylove Memorial Acquisition Fund at the Cape Cod Museum of Art (CCMoA.org/Raylove-Fund).
To donate by mail:
Robert G. Raylove Memorial Acquisition Fund
Cape Cod Museum of Art
P.O. Box 2034
Dennis, MA 02638
The first funds to go toward the acquisition of his favorite sculptural piece by Stephen Whittlesey, titled “In House,” now on display at the Museum.
