ROBERT F. KELTY, 64, died on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Haven on April 14, 1947, he finally lost his battle with melanoma that has cut an inspiring and influential life far too short. He fulfilled his passion for teaching and cooking at IvyTech State College where he was the Dean of the School of Public and Social Services and the School of Education. He was also an ACF certified culinary educator, one of the few in Indiana. "Here Bob utilized his Irish gift of gab for inspiration for recipes and guidance for when they went wrong. Those closest to Bob will remember and miss most the many cakes he masterfully decorated, his devotion to the students he taught, his leadership and commitment to his profession, and his unwavering belief in God. Every St. Patrick's Day, there will be a noted absence without Bob there in his kilt celebrating his Celtic pride." He was influential in the TRiO program which was a mentorship for struggling students to ensure they completed college. He also served on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as Assistant Scholarship Chair. He served at IvyTech since 2000, but also was an educator and leader in the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend. It was here he earned the Principals' Light of Learning Award. He is remembered by his students as being full wisdom and epic one liners, as well as being easy to get off subject. He is survived by his loving wife and partner, Marvene (Landin); children, Greg (Christine), Rebecca, Geoffrey and Mary Beth; granddaughters, Jordan and Lyla; mother-in-law, Betty (Herber) Landin; siblings, Louise (Steven) Hartman, Joseph (Ellen), Julie(Ron) Weaver, James, Dr. Richard (Sandra), Mary Ellen (Daniel) Granahan, Laura (Edward) Scherschel, Daniel, John (Christine), David, Dr. Gerald (Sue), and Stephen; and nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Loretta (Putman) Kelty; father-in-law, Marvin Landin; and twin sons, Geoff and David. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at St. Jude Catholic Church, State Blvd. at Randallia Drive, with calling one prior. Calling also from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Winchester Road Chapel, 6424 Winchester Road. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. Memorials to Masses at Sacred Heart and St. Jude Catholic Churches, Visiting Nurses & Hospice, CaringBridge.org, or the Robert F. Kelty Scholarship Fund for Culinary Foreign Study. www. klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com



Published in Fort Wayne Newspapers on August 24, 2011