Robert Kelley Obituary

Kelley Sr., Robert F. With his loving wife, Nancy at his side, Robert F. Kelley Sr. of Palm Desert, CA, formerly of Chicago and New Orleans, LA transitioned at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2017 following an illness. He was born March 24, 1935, in Winnfield, Louisiana to George H. Kelley and Bertie Noah Kelley. Mr. Kelley retired from Arthur Andersen Worldwide as Managing Partner of International Affairs & Special Advisor to the CEO in 1997. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate of Northwestern Louisiana, an MBA graduate of LSU, and a brother in Phi Kappa Phi. Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by his parents, four of his brothers and his only sister. He is survived by his older brother, Charles H. Kelley; his loving wife of 17 years; sons, Robert, Jr. (Leigh Anne) and Clayton (Mike); stepchildren, Kristine Jennings and Jon Jennings (Jennifer) and grandchildren, Hayden Graham, Katherine Graham, Alexandra Jennings, Addison Jennings, Jack Jennings and Bennett Jennings. His was a world-view. He advocated the recognition of intellectual capital, communications, and information technology as new, determining factors of global trends. He was a member of US Trade Representative Mickey Cantor's Investment and Services Committee; a member of the European Institute of the Coalition of Service Industries, a member of the U.S. Committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, actively participated in and served as a committee member in international forums; such as, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO); and the European Policy Center. He was also a member of the International Food and Wine Society. In retirement, Mr. Kelley was inducted into the Long Purple Line at Northwestern and the Hall of Distinction at the E.J. Ourso College of Business at LSU. Though Mr. Kelley has been recognized for his writing, speeches, and numerous achievements, he will be remembered for his original thinking, his patient listening, his inquiring mind, and the inspiration he gave to so many. A celebration of life is planned in his honor.