- Richard “Rich” A. Kelley, 56, of Howard, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College.
Born on Feb. 3, 1968 in Bellefonte, he was the son of the late Richard “Dick” McKivison Kelley and Beatrice (Alterio) Kelley, and stepmother, Shirley Owens Spicer Kelley, who survives at her home.
On Oct. 26, 1996, he married the love of his life, Teresa K. (Yarrison) Kelley, who survives at home after sharing 27 years of marriage together.
Rich was a 1986 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School. Following high school, Rich attended Williamsport Area Community College where he obtained his EMT-Paramedic certification.
During his high school and college years, Rich worked at Bonfatto’s and the A Plus minimart. Following graduation from college, he started his EMS career at Lock Haven Hospital.
Over the years he worked for Poly Clinic Hospital, Lewistown Hospital (Medic 89) and Fame EMS. He joined Mount Nittany Health as a paramedic in 1991. His career would allow him to take the position as the Emergency Medical Service Manager at Mount Nittany Health. Rich’s time and dedication to the profession was unwavering for over 30 years, leaving an undeniable impact on the entire Emergency Service community.
Rich dedicated his life to serving others in various capacities; he led the Emergency Preparedness Committee, served on the Centre County Public Information Working Group and was a leader of the Keystone Healthcare Coalition and the South Central Mountains Healthcare Coalition. In the years prior to serving as the EMS Manager for Mount Nittany Health, he served as the EMS clinical supervisor for Mount Nittany Medical Center. Additionally, he had previously served as the Centre County Coroner.
Actively involved with the Logan Volunteer Ambulance Service, Rich was instrumental in the transition of it becoming a paid service, which is now Bellefonte EMS. Following the transition, he was hired as the operations director of Bellefonte EMS. He was also assistant manager at Alpha Community Ambulance Service (now Centre Life Link) EMS, as well as a flight paramedic for Life Flight, STAT MedEvac and Hershey Life Lion.
Rich has served as vice president of the Centre County Ambulance Association, and was a member of the EMS committee of South Central Mountains Regional Task Force, Regional Medical Advisory Committee, the Regionals Leadership Committee and the Central District Firemen’s Association.
His dedication to helping others didn’t stop with healthcare, as he also volunteered with the Howard, Logan and Undine Fire Companies. He also had a drive to help others find their niche within the field of emergency services, serving as an EMT/EMR instructor.
Rich and the Mount Nittany Health EMS department were honored with the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Award, for exemplary work in compassionate patient care. In recognition of his personal dedication, he was also awarded the Jack Williams Award given by Seven Mountains EMS.
In addition to his wife, Teresa, and stepmother, Shirley, he is survived by his four children, Hayley, Caleb (Carissa Watson), Zachary (Emma Bird) and Hannah, all of Howard.
Also surviving are his sisters, Tracy Leitzel (Greg) and Joy Long (Brian), both of Millheim; stepbrothers, William Spicer (Erdean), of Bellefonte, Rick Spicer (Suzi), of Port Matilda, and Robin Spicer, of Jersey Shore; stepsisters, Deborah Rondini (Evo), of Harwinton, Conn., and Carol Spicer, of Milesburg; his mother-in-law, Oneida Yarrison, of Howard; a brother-in-law, Terry Yarrison, Jr. (Tracey), of Howard; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by stepsisters, Patricia A. Cowan Spicer, Ethel Marie Kramer and Cynthia Lutz; and his father-in-law, Terry Yarrison, Sr.
Rich was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Howard, where he was serving on the Church Council.
Additionally, he was a member of the Bellefonte Elks Lodge #1094, the American Legion Post #33 in Bellefonte, the Clarence Moose Lodge #1565 and the VFW Post #8269 in Howard. He was also a part-owner of the Twin Oaks camp in Snow Shoe.
While much of his time was spent inside, either working or volunteering, Rich was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed going to camp with the other co-owners, going on camping trips (and meticulously documenting each and every one in his many “Camping Journals!”), hunting and vacations with his family. Every year, nearly without fail, he eagerly awaited and looked forward to being able to take his family to ride ATVs on the Rails to Trails in Snow Shoe, attend the PA Farm Show, Outdoor Show and camp for the week at the Grange Fair.
While he lived to put others first, his family was what truly brought Rich the most joy. He was a man who wore several different hats in his life, but the first time he held each one of his children, everyone knew that the “Dad Hat” would always be Rich’s favorite!
From sharing coffee breaks at work and the Ramey Poker Runs with Hayley, helping then-14-year-old Caleb bring in his very first buck out at camp, spending countless days fishing at the lake with Zach or going for car rides with Hannah and their trusty canine co-pilot, Oakley, — no matter if the moments were big or small, he wouldn’t have traded any of them for anything.
Though he was dedicated to others and serving his community, he was humble beyond words regarding his own accolades. The same did not apply when it came to his family. Whether cheering from the sidelines, gripping the door handles as he helped to teach his children how to drive or swelling with pride as they followed in his footsteps and joined the local fire companies, he didn’t miss a chance to brag about any of them!
A loving husband, devoted dad, loyal brother, and faithful friend, colleague and mentor, Rich leaves a void that cannot be filled.
A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, from 4-8 p.m., at Lambert Hall, 303 Forge Road, Bellefonte.
An additional viewing will be held at Lambert Hall on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Funeral services will begin at noon with Pastor David Pencek officiating.
Graveside services will directly follow in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Bellefonte.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Rich to the Howard Fire Company at 341 Walnut St., Howard, PA 16841, Undine Fire Company at 133 E. Bishop St., Bellefonte, PA 16823 or to St. Mark Lutheran Church at 850 Snydertown Road, Howard, PA 16841.
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Our Family History
1968 - 2024 (56 years)
