Richard Walter Kelly, PhD (2021)

CARROLL, DEE, GARSIDE, KELLY, POWERS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/2/2021 at 07:51:18

The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, January 30, 2021

Richard Walter Kelly

Scottsdale - Richard Walter Kelly, 85, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021, at his residence in Scottsdale, AZ after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Richard was born on September 6, 1935, in Iowa City, IA. to Walter and Helen (Garside) Kelly and was the youngest of 3 children. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Richard married Mary Dee on September 5, 1964, and moved to Scottsdale, AZ. He started his extensive and esteemed career at Arizona State University as a professor. During his 35 years at ASU, he advanced to become Associate Dean of Engineering, making ASU a top-25 engineering program, and positively impacting countless students.

In his retirement, he and Mary started an antique business and enjoyed traveling, golfing, serving their OLPH parish, and spending time with their grandchildren and friends from the Irish community.

Richard is survived by his children John Kelly of Hoboken, NJ, Kate Powers (Patrick) of Scottsdale, AZ grandchildren Joseph (Brooke) Powers, Ryan Powers, Nate Powers and Anna (Lucas)Powers, great-grandchildren Lucia Powers and Aiden Powers and his sister Jane Carroll of Albuquerque, NM. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Mary and brother Edwin.

Due to COVID restrictions, a memorial service will be held later in the spring and close friends and family will be notified directly. To offer condolences, the family suggests you donate to the Alzheimer Foundation of America.