Educator, Antiquarian, gardener, fisherman, athlete, and kind soul, Julius Robert Kelz, known affectionately as “ Bob or Pop,” passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, surrounded by family members at the Watermark East Hill, Southbury, CT. He was born on June 25, 1933 to Julius O. and Ruth W. Kelz in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Bob attended Honesdale High School and was a three-sport athlete. He graduated from Keystone Junior College and Bucknell University, where he majored in History with a minor in English, played basketball, and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He earned his Masters’s Degree in educational leadership from SUNY New Paltz and numerous administrative certifications from Penn State and NYU. Upon graduation from Bucknell University with a B.S. in Education, Bob returned home to Honesdale to run the family business, Kelz Bottling Works. On June 25, 1955, he married high school sweetheart and love of his life, wife of 69 years Delcye Riefler; Bob was a pillar in the community as President of the Honesdale Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge of Honesdale, a member of the Eagles and the Seelyville Fire Company. He and Delcye were involved in the Church and other parts of the community. Children Bobby, Ted, and Susan were born during their time in Honesdale. Bob and Delcye moved to New York with the family in 1963 to pursue his passion, a career in education. He spent nine years teaching middle schoolers his love for history, to think critically, and to look beyond oneself. Bob became an assistant principal during this time. He was a firm but fair leader, respected and loved by his students and colleagues. In 1972, Bob was hired by the Tri-Valley School System to establish the first Middle School program and take on the role of Principal; in 1974 he would take over as the Superintendent of Schools, where he was a revered leader for almost two decades.

Bob retired from education in 1990 to pursue his love of Antiques and to spend time with his wife and family. Bob’s interests were as rich and varied as his professional life. The pursuit of the great treasures in the antique business was his golf; he was an avid fisherman, gardener, and shopper, and shared a love of travel with Delcye and friends and going to baseball games, shows, and music events. Bob was still an agile athlete shooting hoops, playing beach volleyball, or whatever the grandkids were playing, even into his 70s. While the Antique business was his new job, Pop loved having a house full of family, celebrating milestones, and sharing his love for the holidays. He was a man of traditions and a storyteller; his grandchildren adored him as he could bring out the magic of childhood in everyone.

He is predeceased by his parents, Julius O. Kelz and Ruth W. Kelz, his older brother, Dr. James Kelz, his younger brother, John Kelz, and his son, J. Robert Kelz II.

He is survived by his wife, Delcye Kelz, son Ted (Judith) and daughter Susan, as well as grandchildren, J Robert Kelz III (Ashley), Michael (Kerrie), Shoshona, Emily, Tyler (Alexa) and Austin (Chris), and great-grandchildren Gabby, Jace, Jaxon, Solana, and Daniel.

A Celebration of Life will take place on September 5th, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Watermark East Hill, Southbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Watermark Gift Fund at 611 E. Hill Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, or to the Hospice and Palliative Care RVNA, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 memorial fund or go online to https://rvnahealth.org/southbury-cthospice-care/

To leave an online condolence for Bob’s family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com