Richard Gray Kelley ’43

Richard Gray Kelley ’43 died June 15, 2014. Dick was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from West End High School. He was an outstanding athlete, earning his letter in football, hockey and track and was captain in each sport. Dick spent only his freshman year at Dartmouth before returning home to the University of Minnesota, where he played football, hockey and track, placing fourth in the 100-meter in the national track championship. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943, earned his captaincy and was attached to the 28th Marines on Iwo Jima, where he witnessed the famous flag raising. When the war ended he was called to Honolulu to play football for the Hawaii Fleet Marine force Pacific team. As he said, “Tough duty.” Back in civilian life in 1946, he married Mary Moore and began his 40-year career in the insurance business. He spent 31 years with the Wesley J. Kelley & Co, founded by his father and brother, followed by nine years as vice president at Johnson and Higgins, the company that bought the Kelley agency. In retirement Dick served on various boards including the Boy Scouts, Northrop Collegiate School, Pillsbury Settlement House, Citizen’s Club, Insurance Club of Minneapolis and Woodhill Country Club. Combining his love of hockey and children, Dick developed the Deephaven Bantam Hockey Association. Dick was predeceased by Mary and is survived by children Katharine, Charles and Richard and their families, including seven grandchildren.