Robert Leslie Kelly

On May 9, 2024, our Heavenly Father welcomed one of His earthly angels into His loving arms. Robert (Bob) passed away in the hospital two months after the acute onset of severe hypoxia caused by one of his heart medications. 

He was born on January 30, 1935, in Ishpeming, Michigan. He was the oldest of two children born to Robert L. Kelly (I) and Ingeborg Kelly (Nelson). His father, an immigrant from the Isle of Man worked in a lumber camp and then as an iron ore miner. His mother was the youngest daughter of Norwegian immigrants. She helped support the family by working at the Gossard factory in the war-rationing years, during and after WWII. His sister, Judith Clinton (Wayne) and her family, remained close throughout his lifetime and we all enjoyed many family get-togethers over the years. 

Robert met the love of his life, Carlene B. Kelly (Jones), while serving in the Army, stationed at the Pine Bluff (Arkansas) Arsenal base. They married on September 18, 1959, and shared 62 years of marriage before Carlene’s passing in September of 2021. Robert was a devoted and loving husband and father to their four children: Debra, Linda Brown (Ross), Susan, and Robert Jr., and grandfather to their three grandchildren: Taylor, and Natasha Kelly, and Ken Brown. 

Our Dad did not ordinarily talk much about himself while we were growing up, so it was even more of a gift to spend time with him after our mom had passed. He shared detailed memories of how he and Carlene had met, courted, their early years when we were growing up, and so much more about his childhood in the small mining town in the Upper Peninsula. He worked from the age of eight doing jobs such as delivering groceries and huge blocks of lake ice for ice box refrigerators, shoveling snow, mowing grass, and collecting bottles and cans.

Robert was the first in his family to go to college. Our grandma had proudly told us how our dad’s school had placed him as “gifted” early in his grade school years. He graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the Wisconsin State Department of Transportation for 33 years. 

Robert enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved spending time at the cabin he built with his father in Michigan’s UP. He talked fondly of his memories growing up hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and playing basketball and football in middle and high school. He had a deep appreciation for nature and taught us to “walk quietly in the woods and keep our eyes open” so we would be able to see and appreciate more wildlife. 

After his retirement, Robert and Carlene spent more time at their cabin and traveling to visit relatives. Additionally, he and our mom were devoted to providing care for their youngest grandson, Ken, after his mom returned to work. They were especially close and enjoyed many trips to neighborhood parks, Vilas Zoo, swimming, and fishing. Taylor and Natasha have fond memories of visits to the zoo and fishing with Grandpa and Grandma, as well as Deer hunting in the U.P. and Turkey hunting and target shooting here in Wisconsin.

Robert’s childhood and early years established a small-town sense of love and appreciation for country, community, family, neighbors, and friends. He had a natural tendency to greet others with a smile, nod, or wave. Even during the last weeks of his life, when he felt “worse than I’ve felt in my life,” Robert greeted the hospital staff in cheerful comments that were later conveyed to us.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Bob and Carlene’s neighbors -- Chris and Kate St. Clair, Barb Wolf, and Paul and Emily Gross -- for all their assistance, love, friendship, and support they have provided over the years. They were more than neighbors to both Bob and Carlene. They have shown the sort of kindness and concern that feels like family. We consider them all blessings. 

Robert was the patriarch of our family and will always be missed. His “Dad Jokes,” “Yooper-isms” and loving nature will remain in our hearts forever. 

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be planned for a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warriors, Make a Wish or your favorite charity would have been Bob’s preference.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434