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This site has been visited 1218 times.Personal Background
This memorial website was created by Tim Kelly in loving memory of his father Robert J. Kelly. Robert was born on 03.11.1942 and sadly passed away on 11.08.2007 at the age of 65.
Robert is missed greatly by family and friends and will be remembered forever
Robert J. Kelly
RJ’s story is not complex for he wasn’t a very complex person. What you saw is what you got. Some would argue if the word “nice” was ever used to describe RJ; so would RJ himself. Some may describe RJ as a tough New York bred, New York molded punk; so would RJ himself. Some may say RJ was a mean spirited, self-indulgent short person who carried a chip on his shoulder; yes, so would RJ.
If you got into a street fight or you needed someone to cover your back in a skirmish, RJ Kelly would be one of my first selections. He was an angry, argumentative, well read, intelligent, undisciplined Marine with a nasty disposition, and he was proud of it. He wasn’t the most squared-away Marine either, but he was a Marine. You know the type of Marine I’m talking about. Eleanor Roosevelt described them as killers and mad dogs. The type she wanted to quarantine before letting loose on the American population following the war in the Pacific. In other words, if you were having a family gathering, with friends, RJ would not make the first or second cut when ordered to shorten the invitation list; and RJ wouldn’t care. Kelly, however, would be the first with whom Eleanor and I would go to war... Harvey Rosenfeld , 1st Composite Radio Company
1st Composite Radio Company ~ 8 September 1959
September 8, 1959 Redesignated as 1st Composite Radio Company. January 2, 1962 Deployed to Pleiku, South Vietnam as Detachment One under the command of then Captain John K. Hyatt Jr.
September 17, 1963 Redesigned as 1st Radio Company, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
In January, 1962, 42 Marines from the 1st Composite Radio Company, FMF, designated Sub-Unit #1, 1st Composite Radio Company, were the first U.S. Marines to participate in the ongoing build-up which was to become the Vietnam War. This unit was to evolve, becoming the 1st Radio Company Battalion. Our mission was to gather information about the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army through radio intercept and radio direction finding operations and use that knowledge for both offensive and defensive fighting purposes.
His Wife's Perspective
Kelly was at times a very difficult man to live with.. He had a way of doing things that I did not always want to do. One example: He believed in paying for cash, no credit, if we don't have the money we can't afford it, that was hard for me. But over the years I learned that what he said was true. He belived in America, he loved his country and fought for it when called. He was very retrospective about his days in Nam. It affected him. He belived in honesty, to a fault, he belived in Honor and Loyalty, and he loved the Corps. He was at times hard on his family with Corps discipline but he thought it was the right thing to, and now that he is gone, it is his love and discipline that I remember most, and know that that was his way of loving us. I know that he loved us, me his wife, his son and his granddaughter, in a very special way.
He is in my thoughts daily and I thank him and God that I knew Kel he was a great help in my maturing. I miss him dearly and loved him very much.
Lillian Avalos Kelly
Marine Corp Hymn From the halls of Montezuma
Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze
Here's health to you and to our Corps
A Snapshot of Kelly A little known fact about RJ is his love for swimming. His claim to have been an outstanding swimmer is supported by his scuba diving certifcation and he years he put into this love for open water swimming. RJ was no different then most of us of the TV Generation. We lived through this ever changing/ever-improving video technology and its growth as the world's leader in home entertainment. RJ's likes and dislikes, like ours, probably were shaped by the visions that titilated our imaginations on TV. In RJ's case, it was the TV series "Sea Hunt". Following RJ's marriage in 1975, he went to work as a welder on oil rigg trucks. There he met and befriended a Vietnam veteran; one who had the love for diving and, in turn, who also had diving friends who too were Vietnam vets. RJ became certfied as a scuba diver shortly thereafter. The diving group grew out of a similar love for scuba diving from each having served this country in a time of war; a war some Americans would much prefer to forget. The group was comprised of RJ Kelly from 1st Radio, his friend who was former U.S. Ait Force Vietnam veteran, a member from the Vietnam Delta attack boats, and some former and (at the time) current sailors with attack submarine experiences. They called themselves "The Rappers of the Bottom". They drove from a Diver Boat out of the 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro, also from Santa Barbara off of a boat called "The Truth", from a friend's 21 foot pleasure boat. RJ and his group preferred diving in the winter. It was off-season for the casual divers. They always dove together and maintained a good buddy system while diving. To offset the thermal changes they encountered at various depth during colder weather dives, the group wore panty hose between their bodies and the wet suits. This served as insulation from the cold as the divers expelled warm bodily fluids, stored in their bladders, accumulated from the large quantities of hot liquids consumed prior to going into the water. For those who knew RJ, also know ths insulation tactic, described herein, isn't quite the way RJ would verbalize it. Kelly hasn't been diving since diving since 1995. As happens to friends, the band of diving buddies went their seperate ways. RJ also claims it is old age and injuries sustained from an accident which keeps him out of the water. I would argue that maybe it's that RJ finally got potty trained. Occupations: Seagram’s’ in New York Stock Exchange
Truck driver Taxi Driver Plumber Welder Apartment Manager Video and Television Production Computer Hardware Tech In-Take Specialist for COA (Christian Outreach In Action) Hobbies: Scuba Diving/Swimming Collecting guns Shooting at the Rifle Range Hunting with son Study of History Astronomy Working on his Honda Civic Historical Puzzles Collecting Mushrooms Antiquing Browsing old Book Stores Favorite Television Programs: Flash Gordon Sea Hunt Twilight Zone (‘60’s)
Outer Limits (60’s) One Step Beyond Star Trek ‘60’s Magnum P.I. Brides Head Revisited ‘80’s House ’05-‘07 Boston Legal Holms on Homes The Military Channel (All Programs) Sherlock Holms Jeopardy
Favorite Movies: Wuthering Heights ‘39 Citizen Kane ‘41 Maltese Falcon ‘41 Hamlet w/ L. Olivier ‘48 Casablanca ‘42 A Walk in The Sun ‘45 Steel Helmet ‘51 Lawrence of Gung Ho! ‘43 Ten Commandments ‘56 Ben Hur ‘59 The Man Who Would Be King ‘75 Full Metal Jacket ‘87 Seven-Ups ‘73 The Conversation ‘74 A Few Good Men ‘92 Out of The Day The Earth Stood Still ‘51 Somewhere In Time '80 War of the Worlds '53
Favorite Sayings: Erin Go Braugh! Up the IRA and Off the Bloody British “Make an executive decision”!
Favorite Hymns: Nearer My God to Thee Amazing Grace Favorite Scriptures: "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth." Revelation 3:15 - 16 Favorite Bible Teacher: Dr. J. Favorite Artist: Salvador Dali - Persistence of Time He loved CATS! His Favorite Pets: Casey Muse Pinky Peanut
To the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.
From the dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And have never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines
MONK
Ferris Bulliers Day Off
"Don't **** with me"!
Better him than me
Latest Tributes
My only Brother - I haven't seen nor heard ftom him since 1973. I found his name while seaching for other Viet-Nam vets I served with in '68 -'69. I am happy he finally found peace & serenity in his life.
- from Jim Kelly
No holds barred - One of the many things I loved about Bob, was that I could always speak freely around him and to him. I never had to worry about insulting him, him taking something "the wrong way", or having to be politically correct. I always felt that the Production office was my sanctuary, where I could go to hang and talk to like minded people. Even if we disagreed, it was no big deal. Bob would just tell me I was wrong, and we'd have a big laugh! I really miss you Bob! - from Sean Lowe
Kelly Was The Sort of Person I Like to Like. - Please allow me to express my sadness at Kelly's passing and offer my condolences to you and your family
I first met Kelly when I was attached to the 1st Marine Radio Detachment in Pleiku, Vietnam in 1962. Kelly and I were assigned to diffrent duties, and I was in the Army, so we knew each other only casually at that time.
I was delighted when Kelly located me through Rick Swan and Dennis Fouts about 2 1/2 years ago and we began corresponding by e-mail. I looked forward every day to Kelly's e-mails. He unfailingly responded to every
e-mail I sent out. He had an admirable knack for getting directly to the heart of an issue with a few well chosen words.
I live not far south of you. You might recall that Kelly came down to visit me earlier this year. We spent a memorable day swapping life stories and reminiscing about our military experiences.
During all our correspondence and the wonderful day we spent together Kelly never once let on that he was ill, so the news of his passing came as a shock.
Kelly was the sort of person I like to like. I will miss him - from Robert Destatte
May God Grant You Peace - We are sorry for your loss and our loss. Our prayers are with you at this time. May God grant you peace. - from Darrel & Judy Haines
The Man Was My Brother - He showed a rough exterior but he had a good and giving heart, there was nothing that I would not ask of him that he wouldn't do for me and me for him.
If he was your friend, he was your friend for life. He was Loyal and True.
When life would get so hectic and busy, sometimes we wouldn't speak for months or even a or two would go by but we would always picked up right where we left off without missing a beat.
Bob was my diving partner and friend he was more than that. The man was my brother. I feel his loss deeply and will miss him greatly.
Rest in Peace I will remember our divings trips and our goody bags filled to overflowing. See you on the other side.
- from O'Dell Morris
Latest Memories
Jim Kelly - RJ's (Bobby) younger brother sends his condolences. redd441@aol.com
718-945-4606
Rex Jones - Rex Jones left this memory on 16.01.08:
Kelly and I served in the same unit, 1st Composite Radio Company, went to Vietnam in '62 and hoisted a few beers. Very passionate about the Corps, his family and his country.
Lil Kelly - FAULTS
They came to tell your faults to me,
They named them over one by one;
I laughed aloud when they were done,
I knew them so well before,--
Oh, they were blind,too blind to see
Your faults had made me love you more
Lil Kelly - MUSHROOMS!
It stared at the begining of our marriage when, from a friend we recieved a painting of a Mushroom. Then when our son was born we recieved one of those baby pots with a plant in it. The flower pot was a group of mushrooms with a fairy and a bunny sitting on the mushrooms, so from henceforth we hunted and collected Mushrooms!
Everywhere we went, on outings, antique shop browsing, vacations or any place new or revisited we went mushroom hunting.
MUSHROOMS! That was the topic and goal for the day of each new town. Would we find any? what kind? what color? We collected them in all shapes and sizes. Each place had an antique or gift shop that we visited, that was sure to bring a new addition to our growing mushroom collection.
As the years progressed we discovered that collecting mushrooms was a rather unique item to collect and we did not always bring home the coveted prize. But we enjoyed the hunt.
We have collected all types of mushrooms. There are candles, candle holders, glass shapped, glass blown, salt & pepper shakers, plant holders, incense burners and plaques. They come in all colors-- brown, orange, grey, black, colbalt blue, topaz yellow, green onyx, blue onyx from Mexico. There are carved wooden ones, brass one, ones made from coral and sea shells. All types, sizes, shapes all resemble mushrooms and each one from a diffrent place spanning 32 years.
On our trip to South Carolina in '07 we searched for them there but we left empty handed as there were none to be found.
I'm still on the hunt for them as I shall continue our search and in so doing will keep the memories of hunting mushrooms alive as it brought us such happiness and fun times.
I wonder if there are mushrooms in heaven?
Harvey Rosenfeld - Robert J. Kelly or RJ—not Bob
RJ’s story is not complex for he wasn’t a very complex person. What you saw is what you got. Some would argue if the word “nice” was ever used to describe RJ; so would RJ himself. Some may describe RJ as a tough New York bred, New York molded punk; so would RJ himself. Some may say RJ was a mean spirited, self-indulgent short person who carried a chip on his shoulder; yes, so would RJ.
If you got into a street fight or you needed someone to cover your back in a skirmish, RJ Kelly would be one of my first selections. He was an angry, argumentative, well read, intelligent, undisciplined Marine with a nasty disposition, and he was proud of it. He wasn’t the most squared-away Marine either, but he was a Marine. You know the type of Marine I’m talking about. Eleanor Roosevelt described them as killers and mad dogs. The type she wanted to quarantine before letting loose on the American population following the war in the Pacific. In other words, if you were having a family gathering, with friends, RJ would not make the first or second cut when ordered to shorten the invitation list; and RJ wouldn’t care. Kelly, however, would be the first with whom Eleanor and I would go to war.
Allow me to share, through some anecdotal examples, stories RJ would be more than happy to tell; and did on many occasions.
Kelly and I were stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii together. We didn’t hang together but we lived in the same squad bay. Those unfamiliar with the term “squad bay” would become very familiar if they lived in one. It was a long wide room filled with Marine conveniences—double racks (bunk beds), metal cabinets and foot lockers. Everything a Fleet Marine would need.
One day several of us, including RJ, were hanging around talking about the art of wrestling. Not the show business type. Some who wrestled in high school or college were showing off their moves and getting the others involved in some of the techniques. Somehow, Kelly and I got paired for a friendly wrestling match. Understand, there are no choke holds allowed in the sport of wrestling.
Kelly and I started the match and it went on for about five or six minutes, or so it seemed, with RJ having the advantage then I. I made a mistake and it cost me because Kelly had me in a precarious position. That wasn’t good enough for RJ, however. He quickly turned his advantage into what we call the Hanokojima (Ha-knock-O-Jima), a choke hold used to render your enemy unconscious in a matter of econds. The fact it was inappropriate in the framework we were participating escaped Kelly. He invoked the move and only stopped after several claps of my hands; a notification taught us in boot camp meant to alert the choker that he had he proper technique and the chokee wanted it stopped.
Skip forward to Vietnam 1962. While the majority of our detachment of Marines was in Pleiku putting up with some less than agreeable leadership, RJ was detached to the 3rd RRU in Saigon. It was cherry duty compared to the situation in which most of the detachment in the Vietnam highlands found themselves. Those attached to the 3rd RRU lived in hotels with maid and room service. For that they were asked to fly mission a few hours each week. When not on flight status, their time was their own.
RJ being RJ still found much to complain about and to make things difficult for everyone involved in their mission. He was late for work, grooming was not to Marine expectations and he was in a constant bitch mode. Sgt Robert Brewington, his leader in Saigon, was not one to push the Marine issue but like most of us we understood we enlisted in the Marine Corps. If one of us believed it was a mistake, we sucked it up and lived with our mistake and went about doing our jobs. Kelly took a different approach to his dissatisfaction.
Things between Sgt Brewington and Kelly deteriorate. One evening the Sergeant was relaxing in a bar, throwing off the day’s problems, when RJ entered the establishment in utilities. The uniform was appropriate. The way it was being worn was not. Kelly was wearing an Army buckle instead of the requisite buckle to be worn with the Marine utility uniform. When questioned about the faux pas, Kelly gave an inappropriate response for a PFC to his Sergeant, but not one out of character for Kelly.
Following a brief physical encounter, RJ was dispatched from the cherry picking in Saigon to the fox hole digging in Pleiku. He was happier there. There was a lot to bitch about and many more there who would ympathies with RJ’s complaints.
Now we are 40+ years from 1962. After all that time, first one then two then another and another of those who were in 1st Composite Radio Co and detached to Pleiku began finding one another. It is my understanding Kelly picked up on this activity of reuniting with our brothers while viewing a web site owned and operated by Rick Swan of the 1st Radio Battalion. The same organization we were assigned to but with the growth spurt consistent with the increasing interest in Vietnam by our country’s administration.
Lillian explained to me following RJ’s death how happy and delighted RJ was that he found his brothers from 1st Radio. That didn’t seem to change his demeanor, however. In the first email Dennis Fouts wrote to RJ, he had the misfortune of referring to RJ as Bob. It didn’t take long for Dennis and the gathering group to note that some things never change. RJ (Bob) educated Dennis on the proper manner in which he wanted to be addressed. Dennis never called him Bob again, but it caused paucity in the virtual communications between the two.
It was apparent the years hadn’t mellowed RJ. I would guess that over the past few years RJ has been dropped and reinstated from at least one or more address books. I can honestly state, I never dropped Kelly. I have gone through at least three key boards but Kelly remained in my address book until November 8, 2007.
Lill and I talked quite a bit during RJ’s illness and subsequent passing. It was apparent that RJ wasn’t much different at home than around us. I guess there is something to be said for consistency. It also makes one predictable. In retrospect, maybe the fact RJ was predictable in his approach to various conditions and in his discourse made me more tolerant. That’s probably why I only went through three keyboards instead of one per week. One important item I learned in losing Kelly, he loved and protected his wife and family. He may not have showed it but Kelly loved his Marine brothers too. Why else would someone rob Peter to pay Paul to join us in Myrtle Beach for his first and last reunion—and why would someone get up at 0400 every morning to read the “Morning Muster” and every subsequent email weather he answered them or not. Lill told me that to the detriment of most everything else around RJ, he went to the computer first to be with his brothers. One could say if it weren’t for Kelly we, as a group may still be floundering around wonder whatever happened to old so and so. It was Gordon Hagan’s attempts at locating a few old but good men, and a simple email from Kelly that said “Hagan, it’s Kelly” that got the job underway. Those simple caring words began the experiences we now enjoying at reunions and in the virtual world. In the end, I think his brothers understood this about Robert (Bob) J. Kelly (RJ) because after his death his brothers turned-to and came to the aid of a fellow Marine’s family.
I’ve never been more proud of my small band of brothers than I am today, and I am sorry it took what time we had remaining to know RJ from his family’s perspective.
RJ, rest in peace because you won’t have much peace if you show up for guard duty at Heaven’s Gate and the big Kahuna notes you are in need of a haircut and your are out of uniform.
Semper Fi brother; rest in peace…
Harvey Rosenfeld