Bishop Robert W. Kelley, 95, of Powell, Ohio died February 12, 2025, while in the care of National Church Residences’ Hospice Services, and Cotter House Worthington. He was born in Brunswick, Maryland on April 12, 1929, to C. Earl and Margaret (Winters) Kelley. He is predeceased by Marline (Spille) Kelley, his wife of 64 years; his parents; sister, Jean Kelley Hopkins; brothers-in-law, Stuart Hopkins and Robert Spille; sister-in-law, Deloris Spille; nephew, Paul Kelley Hopkins, and grandnephew, Stuart Anthony Nemetz.
Robert is survived by his son, Kevin and his wife Kaz, granddaughter, Samantha; and granddaughters, Laura and Catherine Kelley (and their mother, Kim Kelley); daughter, Kathleen and her husband, Frank King; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Robert was a child of God, who was born, baptized, raised, and ordained in the Lutheran faith and served parishes in Eggertsville and South Newstead, New York; Euclid, Columbus, and Akron, Ohio. He was Bishop of the Ohio Synod, American Lutheran Church (September-December, 1985; January 1986-December 1987), and the Northeast Ohio Synod of the merged Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (1988). He understood that faith does not belong to one denomination. He put this into action through work with and leadership of the Columbus-based Ohio Council of Churches. He was also involved with and supported Church World Services, and the CROP hunger walk.
Robert graduated (1947) Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, which prepared him to graduate (1950) in three years from Capital University, Bexley, Ohio. Following graduation he entered Mount Wilson State Hospital (Maryland) for a year of rest, nutrition, and open-air treatment for tuberculosis. He then returned to Ohio, attending Trinity Lutheran Seminary until a second bout of tuberculosis sent him back to Mount Wilson for another year of care, during which he benefitted from streptomycin. Robert graduated Trinity and was ordained in 1957. In 1987 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Capital University. In 1995 he was bestowed the honorary title of Bishop Emeritus of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Robert was attending Trinity Seminary in 1952 when he met Marline (a student at Capital University). They dated and then wrote letters to each other during his year of internship (1953) in San Antonio, Texas, after which she moved to Maryland, worked at Fairchild Aircraft, and lived with his mother to be close while Robert was again treated for tuberculosis. Marline taught Robert to drive prior to their marriage on December 28, 1955 in Greenville, Ohio. Marline supported Robert and his ministry, managing home and children while he gave priority to his vocation. Together they raised their children to be independent thinkers, responsible, considerate, and members of the Lutheran faith.
As Bishop, Robert was afforded opportunities for international travel, which he and Marline had not previously experienced. They had the privilege of meeting Bishop Desmond Tutu while on a multi-week church trip throughout South Africa. Robert admitted his cultural naiveté at one event, which led to his clapping along with the rhythmic chanting of the crowd, only to later learn the chant translation was, “One settler, one bullet.” Had he not been sitting on a stage with other dignitaries that might have been a lesser faux pas. Robert and Marline developed relationships on that trip that led to reciprocal church leader visits to the United States, and a child who claimed them as adopted grandparents. A trip to Switzerland was another they took together, but when Robert went to Rome and had an audience with the Pope John Paul II, Marline was not along. Robert also travelled to Brazil and experienced the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Robert was generally reserved, could be intimidating, but could also cause peals of laughter with his quick and unexpected wit. His granddaughters, in particular, knew that Papa might be a tough cookie on the outside but had a soft, gooey center. He had high standards for himself, and his family, yet knew none is perfect and that forgiveness is divine.
Robert was a voracious reader and frequent visitor to the Powell library. He received the Dispatch and numerous periodicals until his death.
Robert enjoyed music and singing, was a member of many choirs, including the German Maennerchor (Columbus).
Robert appreciated gardening and throughout his life had house and office plants (including a tree), and a vegetable garden in every back yard.
He enjoyed watching baseball, basketball, and football, favoring Cleveland teams, yet succumbed to Columbus college football fandom in his later years.
Robert’s attachment to Maryland never waned. Short-term memory loss dementia did not diminish his long-term memory, which ensured his children and grandchildren can recite from memory many childhood stories.
Robert lived “independently” for four years at the home he shared with Marline after her death in 2020. His children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and granddaughters provided assisted living to him there longer than was probably wise due to the desire to support his sense of independence and gain his agreement that he should not be living alone. It was almost six months to the day after he moved into Cotter House Worthington that he left this world and joined his Lord and Savior in heaven.
The family acknowledges and thanks the staff at Cotter House Worthington for their care of “Mr. Robert,” and their efforts to help him live his best possible life in his 95th year.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m., March 1, 2025 at Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43202. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:30 a.m. until the service begins. The service will be streamed live and recorded on the Clinton Heights Lutheran Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to organizations serving the dignity of people and their fundamental rights. Suggested are Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio’s Health Center or Faith Mission; or Clinton Heights Lutheran Church.