Robert Kelley Obituary

Kelley
Robert "Doug" Douglas
Kelley
June 7, 1942
October 10, 2022

Robert Douglas Kelley, 80, crossed over on October 10, 2022 at his home in Colorado Springs.
He was born June 7, 1942 to Melba Phyllis Williams and Lawrence Clair Kelley in Denver, Colorado. He graduated in 1961 from Arvada Senior High School and received his B.A. from Western State College of Colorado. Doug then studied at Boston University, where he would earn his M.S. in Public Relations in 1967.
While at university at Western State, Doug served as a Residence Hall Advisor for two years and was elected Class and Student Body President. At Boston University, he was elected to Tau Mu Epsilon, the national honorary public relations society. After graduation, Doug worked for Boston University as the Assistant to the Dean of Men, and then as the Director of Publicity and Community Relations for Babson College in Massachusetts.
For the next thirty years, Doug, who fondly referred to himself as a "Professional Beggar," sought new, inspiring, and exciting non-profit job ventures. He worked at Franklin College, Alfred University, the Pine Crest School, and the United States Olympic Committee, where he served as the National Director of Fundraising from 1994-1998.
Doug spent the past two and a half decades self-employed, which enabled him to participate in philanthropic groups in Colorado Springs, where he was honored time and again for his volunteer service. He spent his free time exploring the world and going to as many countries possible. Upon his death, Doug had traveled to more than fifty countries, being particularly proud of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2005 with his son, and for having reached Cape Horn, which he did in 2018 at the age of 75.
Doug was known to most as a giving person who always had time to help others. His life was very much one of service, to the extent that even as he succumbed to the ravages of cancer, he worried over his friends' hardships and disliked that he could no longer go and help where help was needed. He had a deep love for nature and wildlife, the great state of Colorado, Louis L'Amour, fellowshipping, dry humor and his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Phyllis Kelley; brother, John Kelley; his parents-in-law, Bob and Viola Dollens; and brother-in-law, David Dollens.
Doug is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Donna Kelley of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son, Kevin of Dallas, Texas; and daughter, Kristin Strother of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Native Hope, www.nativehope.org.
Memorial Service, 4:00PM-6:00PM, Friday, November 4, 2022, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.