Bobby V. Kelley

He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, July 13, 1954, son of LtCol (Ret) Burness Veal and Greta Gay Kelley. He was preceded in death by his parents; his spouse, Tonie Jeanne Kelley; his brothers, Thomas "Tommy" F. Kelley and Michael Dean Kelley. He is survived by a niece, Caitlyn Kelley Siebermorgen; an uncle, J.R. Tankersley; and sisters-in-law, Colleen Holland Kelley and Patricia "Patty" Stidham Kelley.

Bob graduated from Pan American University Edinburg in 1975 with a degree in Astronomy co Science & Mathematics. He started his career at San Antonio College (SAC) where he served various positions in the Scobee Planetarium (formerly the San Antonio College Planetarium) providing astronomy classes and public presentations to over one million students and visitors during his tenure. Bob served officially as an astronomer for SAC for 39 years, yet he was connected to the planetarium years before. After attending the planetarium program as a John Jay high school student, he met with the director and asked for advice that would lead him on a career path to astronomy, and specifically working in the planetarium. Bob spent his entire professional career under the dome stars, and retired as Planetarium Coordinator in January 2017.

Those who worked with Bob quickly learned the influence he had for people who came to appreciate star gazing and astronomy at the Scobee Planetarium. Visitors were drawn into this universe through the gentle and caring way Bob treated everyone he met. For Bob, there were no strangers, only friends he had not yet met. His coworkers referred to Bob as the celestial "Mr. Rogers" with everyone becoming neighbors in this celestial community.

In his young adult life, Bob became a private pilot and owned his own plane for a period of time. He also joined the Society for Creative Anachronism (an immersive Medieval recreation, education, and research group) in 1980. It was through the SCA that Bob met his wife Tonie in late 1980. They chose the SCA names of Emrys Shaunnon and Brianna ny Oran. In recognition of their devoted participation and pursuit of learning Medieval combat and arts, each received an array of SCA awards. In January 1985, Bob was recognized for his artistry in creating stained glass, and that same April he was granted the SCA's highest combat award for skill at arms: Knighthood. SCA Knighthood embodies the ideals of Chivalry, Honor, Fealty, Bravery, Integrity, and Courtesy, and few more closely aligned themselves with these attributes than Sir Emrys. In 1999, Emrys and Brianna were chosen by acclaim to lead the local area SCA group as their Baron and Baroness. They served in this position for 5 years and were much beloved by their populace. During their SCA years, they also both participated in rapier combat as well as continuing to pursue various artistic endeavors such as herbalism, cooking, singing, bardic arts, and heraldry. After Tonie passed in May 2009, Bob largely withdrew from SCA participation, because it had been such a shared pursuit for the both of them. He said it hurt too much to be at an event and not see her there with him.

In his 50s Bob took up photography. He enjoyed taking pictures of the moon, stars, auroras, eclipses, flowers, nature, bi-wing and tri-wing aircraft, and autumn in the North East. Night would often find Bob and fellow enthusiasts at faraway places where the dark sky was good for meteor hunting or photographing a historical ghost town. He loved capturing images for their color, detail, and meaning to him.

Bob loved to travel. On a trip with Tonie to England, Ireland, and Wales, they had dinner in a castle in SCA dress. He visited Germany and cruised to Alaska with a dear friend. He returned several times to Alaska for aurora photography, and visited the northwest, midwest, and northeast for his photography passion. He traveled throughout Texas with friends to photograph landscape and the night sky. His talent with stained glass is forever immortalized with 5 windows he designed and executed for the Scobee Education Center. Bob's favorite holiday was Halloween, he was in his element and filled his home with ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and candles. He loved celestial music, British humor, science fiction, and the color orange. Day to day he drove a Prius, but he indulged in two lifelong fantasies of a sports car (Dodge Challenger, orange of course and with the vanity plate NITESKY), and a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air classic car. He was creative and excited about any endeavor he took on. He loved family and friends, and was kind to all.

While we will all miss Bob Kelley here in San Antonio, the fond memories he created with each of us will keep him alive in our minds well into the future. Bob wrote in his wife's obituary: "Tonie, you will forever be my inspiration and the brightest star in my sky. Until we are reunited in heaven, remember our special words - Love, Hope, Strength, Grace and Blessings." We can take solace that Bob is now with his best friend, soul-mate, and partner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scobee Planetarium in memory of Bobby V. Kelley, to continue his legacy of introducing children to the beauty, mystery, possibilities, and potential of space.

For those who would like to view the recorded Memorial Service, please see below: