After a long and well-lived life, our hero was called home on November 13, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
Bob was born in Philadelphia, PA, on May 16, 1933. Bob was the second child of the late Amor and Teresa (Blackenberg) Kelley.
Bob graduated from Lansdowne High School in 1951, where he participated in wrestling, baseball, and football.
After graduation, Bob was employed by General Electric in the switchgear division in Philadelphia before entering the military in 1954, serving during the Vietnam War.
Following basic training with the US Army 101st Infantry Division at Ft Jackson, SC, Bob was assigned to the US Army Quarter Master School in Ft Lee, VA. Later transferred and served at Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, CA, until his honorable discharge in 1956. After his military service, Bob attended Villanova and Temple Universities.
In 1961, Bob joined the Greyhound Corporation in Philadelphia as an operations supervisor. He transferred to Miami, FL, in 1972 as assistant District Manager for the South Florida area. In 1975 he was transferred to Harrisburg as the Central PA General Manager.
Bob met the love of his life, Lauraday, in 1972, and they married in 1976. Together, they started Homestead Travel, Inc. in 1978, in Hummelstown, PA. Bob managed the agency until retiring in 2005.
Being in the travel industry provided Bob and Lauraday with the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States and the world, visiting 42 states and 27 countries, including taking over 30 cruises to so many wonderful and memorable places. In addition to the brick and mortar travel agency, Bob and Lauraday provided marching bands to all the football bowl games and major parades in the US and internationally, working with the Tournament of Roses committee in Pasadena, CA, NATO International Azalea Festival, Norfolk, VA, and the Irish Tourist Board in Dublin, Ireland, to name a few.
In retirement, Bob was happy to stay home and enjoy his beautiful community of Gettysburg, watching his beloved Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Later in life he became a Cardinals fan.
Through the years, he enjoyed watching his grandson, Bryce, wrestle and play football, attending most of his college football games, and then following Bryce’s college football coaching career. He loved spending time with his granddaughter, Brooke, and hearing about her adventures. He loved bird watching and reading.
Bob was a long-time member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and served as Home Minister, Eucharist Minister, Sacristan, Arimatheans and volunteer for many Parish Missions. He was very devoted to his faith.
Bob loved the game of baseball, which he played for many years in independent leagues, American Legion, and in the Army. He was the manager and owner of the Hummelstown Homesteaders, members of the East Shore Twilight League. His team won the championship in 1990. Bob was inducted into the Eastshore Twilight League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
He was extremely proud of the many accomplishments of all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He loved golf and played for many years as a member of the Hershey Country Club until his health no longer allowed him.
Bob so very much loved his four-legged children, beginning with his Irish Setter, Patrick, and then many poodles, Shannon, Rowdy, Toby, Chili, and his beloved, Lola. And then his very special mini poodle, Patty, whom Bob was sure Lola sent to him to comfort him in his final years.
In addition to his loving wife, Lauraday, who shared 50 wonderful years together, Bob is survived by daughters, Madeleine Perkins and her husband, Donald of Gettysburg, PA; Deborah Acunto and her husband, John, of West Palm Beach, and son Jeffrey Kelley, Harrisburg, PA; 11 Grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and one on the way. Bob is also survived by his loving sister, Barbara Kelley of Gettysburg, PA, and brother, William Kelley, and his wife, Kim, of Downingtown, PA, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. Bob had a very special relationship with grandson Bryce Perkins and his girlfriend Madison Reed of Gettysburg, PA; granddaughter Brooke Perkins of Myrtle Beach, SC and USMC Sgt Matthew Kelley and his wife Kira, of Twentynine Palms, CA. In addition, Bob had a special bond with his nephew, Donald Kelley, Jr, and his wife, Carole, of West Chester, PA.
Thank you to Elizabeth with Hospice for being our guiding light and Bob’s care provider in his final days.
Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Alder, son Robert N. Kelley Jr, his grandson, Curtis Alder, his older brother, Donald H. Kelley, and his sister-in-law, Beatrice Kelley, who passed away on Nov 11, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the Kelley family requests, if so inclined, that donations be made in Bob’s memory to The Adams County SPCA, 11 Goldenville Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 25 West High Street, Gettysburg, with Fr. Michael Pray as celebrant, followed by Military Honors. There will be a visitation at the church on Friday from 1:00 PM until the time of the Mass. An Irish Wake celebration of life reception will follow. Private interment in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Frederick, MD will take place at the convenience of the family. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.