Robert Wynne Kelsey

Robert was a life-long Portland resident, one of six children of John and Vera Kelsey, born on September 21st, 1932. He was 88 years old and passed after a months’ long battle with cancer.

He had two children with his first wife, but four stepchildren with his second wife, Irene Kelsey, that he was most proud of. This marriage began in 1966 with the birth of Kevin Kelsey, who died in infancy, and ended 35 years later with Irene’s passing in 2001. Robert had six beloved grandchildren - Allison, Lauren, Erin, Dillon, Stephanie and Tim – all of who visited frequently during his recent illness. He was also a great grandfather to nine children.

His earliest work experience was a brief stint with the US Government, at age 17, cleaning up in the aftermath of the VanPort Flood in 1949 in North Portland. From 1958 to 1970 he worked at Owens-Illinois glass plant where he met his beloved Irene.

He owned A1 Podiatry Lab and served the Portland area doctors with orthotics for 22 years until retiring in 1997.

Perhaps his proudest contribution of his youth was his military service. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years, some of those years involving the Korean War. During that time he was awarded the Navy Occupational Service Medal and the National Defense Medal.