It is with deep regret we report the passing of SEMARA member Robert “Bob” Burns Kelley, K1KVV.
Club member Ben N1WBV writes “Bob was very active when I joined the club in 2008, he was editor of Zero Beat and always active during Kids Day. He seemed genuinely excited when I wanted to learn how to activate the club station and operate on Field Day. He always wanted me to join him on this (then new-fangled) “13 Colonies Event” to help on the Massachusetts station but I never could find the free cycles with the kiddo around. He will be missed.”
Born in Newark, New Jersey to Adeline Steranka and Leo Kelley in 1935, Bob remained in New Jersey through his early college years. Securing a scholarship for excellence in math and science, he attended Newark College of Engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree. Ham (shortwave) radio was a lifelong hobby and interest for Bob. (He enjoyed it enough to join the radio club at Linden Ponds, Bob and Beth’s retirement community). In California, Bob worked for Hughes Aircraft Company where, on a work study program, he earned a master’s degree at USC. Hughes sent Bob to Otis Airforce Base on Cape Cod to help with equipment sold to the US Airforce for their planes.
In 1959, Cape Cod was lacking a social life. Bob met Beth as the fortuitous result of a January ski trip Beth took with a best friend and classmate. After dating, they married in December of that same year. Back in California, Beth and Bob both worked at UCLA. Beth as a nurse, Bob as an Electrical Engineer PhD student and teaching assistant. For five years, with summer jobs at Draper Labs and family visits in Massachusetts and New Jersey, Bob studied for a PhD. With the thesis complete, he became a full professor, researcher in robotics and teacher at the University of Rhode Island. National Science Foundation funds for robotics research allowed Bob to perfect the robotic hand with many patents to his credit. Introduced to the Unitarian Universalist faith by Beth, Bob enjoyed his involvement with the Fairhaven Unitarian Memorial Church.
In Rhode Island, Beth and Bob raised their children at the Westminster Unitarian church in East Greenwich. Every Sunday they took the family on the 30-minute drive from Kingston to East Greenwich for the service and Sunday school. A fun restaurant with peanut shells on the floor was a treat on the way home. After 20 years at URI, Bob made the decision to teach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in upstate New York. Kevin stayed in school at URI and Karen started at the State University of NY -Albany. Ian was a sophomore at Shenendehowa HS and entered RPI in the second semester, graduating with honors in Engineering. In 2000, Bob retired to Mattapoisett, MA with Beth, enjoying life until the COVID-19 pandemic. With that came declining health, a move to Linden Ponds retirement community and, as the saying goes, “Life was good while it lasted.” A gift that keeps on giving is the player piano Bob built for Beth in 1979.
Bob died September 18, 2025 at age 90, leaving behind his wife Beth, sister Barbara, children Kevin, Karen (Greg), Ian (Grace), grandchildren Max, Katie (James), Devin, Patrick, Victoria and great granddaughter, Sophie.
We will gather together in our sanctuary on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2 p.m. to celebrate the life of beloved member emeritus Bob Kelley. All who knew Bob and/or wish to support his wife Beth and their family are welcome to attend. A reception will follow in the Parish House.
Unitarian Memorial Church
102 Green Street
Fairhaven, MA 02719