Robert "Bob" Kramer Kelley, Jr.

Robert “Bob” Kramer Kelley Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on November 6, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1940, in South Bend, IN, the son of Kathryn Jane and Robert Kramer Kelley Sr. Bob’s career spanned over 50 years and included multiple stints of service to his country at the US Department of State, the US Senate and House of Representatives, and the Defense Department.

Bob’s family moved from South Bend to Montrose, CA by train in 1946, where he attended Holy Redeemer Elementary School and St. Francis High School (class of 1958) in La Canada. With hard work and natural athletic ability, Bob became the starting quarterback for the St. Francis’ football team. Tapping into his innate political acumen early in his life, Bob clinched his race for student body president after inexplicably finding an elephant which he brought to school draped in a banner that read: “Vote for Bob!”

Bob attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a degree in history in 1962. When the UND track and field coach saw Bob throwing a football on the college green with friends, he recruited him to throw the javelin for the Fighting Irish. Halfway through his junior year he enrolled in ROTC.

Upon nomination by one of his professors, Bob participated in a summer United Nations Intern Program in New York City on his way to Germany for his military service. In Germany he served as a Lieutenant and Rifle Platoon Leader in C Company, 16th Infantry (Baumholder) from 1962-64 and then continued his Army service as a reservist.

Upon return from Germany, Bob earned his master’s in political science from the University of California at Berkeley. There, he met his first wife, Kathleen Kenyon, with whom he raised three children. After completing his Masters, Bob entered the Foreign Service in 1966, and served in the American Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1969, Bob left the Foreign Service and entered law school at the University of California, Berkeley. After being admitted to the California State Bar and Washington, DC Bar, Bob and his family moved to the Washington, DC area in 1972 and settled in Chevy Chase, MD as Bob began work at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering (now WilmerHale).

In 1975, Bob was appointed as counsel to the US Senate Church Committee, the first of several roles on Capitol Hill. On the Church Committee, Bob investigated and wrote the section of the committee’s final report on Operation Mongoose, among other CIA and FBI activities. The Church Committee’s careful investigative work ultimately led to reform efforts throughout the intelligence community. Following his committee assignment, Bob served as Chief of Staff to Senator Charles “Mac” Mathias. Reprising his State Department service, Bob was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as Special Assistant to the Ambassador-at-Large for Nuclear Non-proliferation. He then returned to the Senate, when he was appointed to serve as Deputy Senate Legal Counsel by Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker, where he enjoyed a warm friendship with his Democratic counterpart. In the mid-1980s, Bob returned to law firm work, including his own firm, and worked as a lobbyist.

On a Wednesday October morning in 1997, Bob met sculptor Vivienne Johnson at an art lecture at the National Gallery of Art. She recognized a kindred creative spirit in Bob when, on their first date, rather than bringing flowers he presented her with a trunk-load of Shakespearean costumes — a jumble of gemlike colors and patterns in satin, velvet, and lace — which he had just purchased from a benefit at The Shakespeare Theater. They married soon after and spent the next 26 years together, traveling, appreciating art and music, and enjoying their time as dedicated members of the Literary Society of Washington. Bob served as Secretary of the Society for many years and his humorous and incisive minutes were eagerly anticipated. Bob also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

From 2003-2005, Bob entered public service again as Counselor for Legislative Affairs at the US Embassy in Baghdad. He coordinated and accompanied hundreds of U.S. Senators and Representatives on delegation visits throughout Iraq.

Despite a demanding career that took him around the world, Bob always made time for his children. He attended their sports and music events, made time to play catch on a sunny afternoon, and took each child on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. He instilled in them the value of hard work, service, an optimistic spirit, sense of humor, and an infectious curiosity. He also encouraged a love of the outdoors in each of them.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife, Vivienne, his three children Alexia (Andrew) of Washington DC, Matthew (Roxanne) of Boulder CO, Emily (Christian) of Bozeman MT, five grandchildren, Jack, Levi, Asher, Luke and Danica, his brother, Kevin (Rosemary) of San Diego, CA, his sister, Kathryn of Portola CA, niece Mary Kathryn (Hamilton) and nephew Kevin (Hawa). The family is grateful to the wonderful caregivers at Brighton Gardens and Carriage Hill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Friends of the National WWII Memorial’s Summer Teacher Conference:

https://wwiimemorialfriends.networkforgood.com/projects/48296-honoring-and-preserving-the-national-memory-of-world-war-ii