Men’s Lacrosse Mourns the Passing of General Robert E. Kelley
Feb 15 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's lacrosse program is mourning the loss of one of its all-time greats following the passing of General Robert 'Bob' E. Kelley at the age of 88.
A member of the Class of 1956, Kelley was a three-time All-American, earning first-team honors in 1955 and 1956 as a midfielder. He scored 100 career goals and tallied 39 goals in both 1954 and 1956. His best single-game effort was an eight-goal outburst against Syracuse in 1955, leading that squad to a victory over a talented Syracuse team that featured All-American Jim Brown. Behind Kelley's efforts, the 1955 team shared the Laurie Cox Division Championship, a national division championship.
In 1956, Kelley was selected for the North/South All-Star game, captaining the North squad. He was a team captain of not just the lacrosse team but the football team as well in his senior season.
An outstanding student, he also won the Marinelli Scholar-Athlete Award for the highest cumulative average among multiple sport participants. Versatility was a forte as he also was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was an outstanding ROTC Cadet, was a distinguished military graduate and was a member of both Cap and Skull and Crown and Scroll honor societies. Following his graduation, he was a highly decorated career in the U.S. Air Force. At age 43, Kelley became the youngest brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. He was the ninth Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and retired as a lieutenant general. He also served as the head lacrosse coach while at Air Force.
Well recognized for all his achievements, his many decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, eight Air Medals, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, and the Gallantry Cross with Palm. Rutgers Loyal Son in 1984. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association elected him to its Hall of Fame in 1985. Kelley was named a Rutgers Hall of Famer in 1994, and he was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1999. This past November, the Asbury Park Press recognized him as one of the Top 50 Rutgers Male Athletes of All-Time.
A future ceremony will be held in his honor at the Air Force Academy. Rutgers plans to honor his life during the upcoming 2021 season.
A member of the Class of 1956, Kelley was a three-time All-American, earning first-team honors in 1955 and 1956 as a midfielder. He scored 100 career goals and tallied 39 goals in both 1954 and 1956. His best single-game effort was an eight-goal outburst against Syracuse in 1955, leading that squad to a victory over a talented Syracuse team that featured All-American Jim Brown. Behind Kelley's efforts, the 1955 team shared the Laurie Cox Division Championship, a national division championship.
In 1956, Kelley was selected for the North/South All-Star game, captaining the North squad. He was a team captain of not just the lacrosse team but the football team as well in his senior season.
An outstanding student, he also won the Marinelli Scholar-Athlete Award for the highest cumulative average among multiple sport participants. Versatility was a forte as he also was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was an outstanding ROTC Cadet, was a distinguished military graduate and was a member of both Cap and Skull and Crown and Scroll honor societies. Following his graduation, he was a highly decorated career in the U.S. Air Force. At age 43, Kelley became the youngest brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. He was the ninth Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and retired as a lieutenant general. He also served as the head lacrosse coach while at Air Force.
Well recognized for all his achievements, his many decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, eight Air Medals, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, and the Gallantry Cross with Palm. Rutgers Loyal Son in 1984. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association elected him to its Hall of Fame in 1985. Kelley was named a Rutgers Hall of Famer in 1994, and he was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1999. This past November, the Asbury Park Press recognized him as one of the Top 50 Rutgers Male Athletes of All-Time.
A future ceremony will be held in his honor at the Air Force Academy. Rutgers plans to honor his life during the upcoming 2021 season.
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