Bruce Robert Kelley died February 9 in Glencoe MN. He was born April 21, 1927 to parents William and Ingred (Ringnier) Kelley. He grew up in Orono MN where he walked to one-room grade school with siblings Bill, Joan and Ingred Ann. Later he attended Wayzata High School, graduating in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the US Navy where he earned his wings and flew small aircraft. Upon discharge, Bruce attended Carleton College and the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill and earned a Civil Engineering degree.

At a welcome dinner for Orono's new Kindergarten teacher, Bruce met Irma Smith. They married in 1955 and settled in Long Lake where they raised their three children.

Over the years Bruce worked as a professional engineer and land surveyor, first at Kelley & Kelley, then at Schoell and Madison, Clark Engineering, and finally as an independent engineer consultant. He renewed his passion for flying, earning his pilot's license again for work and fun.

In 1978 Bruce and Irma moved to his childhood home in Orono, remodeling and adding on. Eventually they built their dream home with beautiful windows, trees and gardens on the same property. It was a haven for friends and wildlife. Here they delighted in birdwatching but sometimes quarreled with deer and squirrels.

Bruce lived a joyful life finding fun wherever he went: birdwatching on every continent, riding go-peds in parades with the Orono Lions Club, creating posters for birthday parties, acting in holiday plays at the UUCM, reciting poetry that always rhymed, and playing a mean game of cribbage.

As the last surviving charter member of the Orono Lions Club, Bruce was awarded a pin for 75 years of service. With the Lions and wife Irma, he founded the Red Lion reading program to encourage young readers at Orono schools. Irma died in 2022.

Bruce is dearly missed by children Peter Kelley, Anne (and Dennis) Twiss, Chris (and Amy) Kelley, granddaughters Shannon and Katie Twiss, sisters Joan Merritt and Ingred Ann Bierman, and many other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year.