Posted on 05/06/2019
Robert Francis Kelly (August 2, 1939 - August 2, 2019)
Captain Robert F. Kelly Jr. passed away on August 2, 2019 in Fairfax, VA. A viewing will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home (located at 9902 Braddock Road in Fairfax, VA) on Sunday, August 25th, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A celebration of life Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 26th, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (located at 8800 Braddock Road in Annandale, VA), with burial at Arlington National Cemetery to be held at a later date.
Bob was born in Englewood, NJ and was the son of Commander Robert Kelly, a submariner who served in the Pacific in World War 1. Growing up, Bob had the unique experience of living at both USNA and USMA as his father was a faculty member at both. Bob entered the Naval Academy in 1957 and graduated in 1961.
Upon graduation, Bob served on USS Manley, and then attended Submarine School. On his first submarine, USS Daniel Boone, he made the first strategic deterrent patrol in the Pacific. He served on five nuclear submarines, completing 20 deterrent patrols with five as commanding officer of Sam Rayburn. While in command, Bob was fortunate to have a classmate, Tom Bailey, as his counterpart on the opposite crew. Bob and Tom had a close and supportive relationship which was reflected in their crews, and this resulted in the ship receiving the Squadron 14 Battle Efficiency E two years in a row. Bob subsequently served as CO of L. Y. Spear, a sub tender.
Bob’s shore duty included BUPERS, the Pentagon, Recruiting Command, and PG school in Monterey. He received advanced degrees from Naval Postgraduate School and Catholic University, and graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard. Upon retirement in 1991, he worked extensively as a consultant in the utility industry throughout the US.
Bob’s recreational interests included travel, military history, and sports. He completed six Marine Corps marathons, and played on a local soccer team for 25 years, several years with his son, Tim, as a teammate. For over 10 years, he was very active in St. Joseph’s Mission Fund, a small organization which supports an orphanage and home for the elderly in southern India, and provides substantial assistance to natives in villages in remote parts of northeastern India. Bob traveled to India in 2007 to assist in the work there.
Bob was very proud of his family who cheerfully supported him during his service on seven ships. He is survived by his wife, Anne, four children, Tim Kelly (Peggy), Kathy Breslin (Tim), Julie Wheatley (Bob), Greg Kelly (Jenny), and 13 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Bob asks donations are made to:
St. Joseph’s Mission Fund
1250 S. Washington St. #209
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home
9902 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (703) 425-9702
https://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Robert-Francis-Kelly?obId=5628995#/obituaryInfo