Former assistant superintendent, triathlete ran his 'best race' in fight against ALS from the Roanoke Times reports on the passing of former assistant superintendent of business for the Roanoke city schools for 25 years, died October 14th. He competed in 15 triathlons - running, biking, swimming and was an avid skier. Kelley was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in January of this year and throughout his illness served as an inspiration to all. He was a devoted husband to his wife Carol and his three stepdaughters were close as well.
Many of us who never met Dick got to know him through his e-mails in which he wrote about life, his condition and almost always included a "Song of the Day" with a link to YouTube so that the reader could enjoy the music as much as he did.
Go to Richard Kelley's Journal to read his thoughts and enjoy is music.
Kelley will be missed by us who knew him in person and from afar. The world is a little less bright today, but the heavens rejoice as Dick takes his rightful place among his peers, the angels.
An Ohio native, Kelley served in the U.S. Army for more than a decade. He completed training in the U.S. Army Ranger School before leaving the service in 1978 and marrying Carol.
Nov. 1 would have been the couple's 31st anniversary.
Very nice. I sent it to Don.
Posted by: Larry | October 15, 2009 at 05:51 PM