Remembering Frank Kelley
Frank Foster Kelley, retired associate professor of visual arts, died Nov. 9, 2016, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo with family by his side. He was 80.
He was born in Corydon, Ind. on Jan. 28, 1936, to Ray R. Kelley Sr. and A. Esther (Foster) Kelley. He grew up in New Hampshire, Kansas, and Minnesota, where he graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1954.
He received a B.S. in art with a music minor from Winona State University in 1958. He taught art and music in a small school in Wisconsin from 1958 to 1961. He received a M.S. in art with an ornithology minor from the University of Minnesota in 1962.
He moved to Grand Forks and started as an art instructor at UND in 1962. He met his wife, Carol Ann (Coulston) Kelley, at UND and they were married in 1964. He received an M.F.A. from Florida State University in 1977. Frank and Carol opened and ran The ARTSplace, an art gallery and supply store, from 1989-2014. In May 1997, he retired from UND after teaching art for 35 years.
As an artist, Frank created pieces in watercolor, oil paint, and printmaking/lithography. Over the years, he enjoyed bird watching, doing the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, singing in the church choir, listening to classical music and operas, and promoting art and art education.
Frank is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol, of Grand Forks, daughters, Andrea C. (Kelley) Sanford (Bill) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Alicia M. (Kelley) Roswick (Jeff) of West Fargo, ND, grandson, William D. Sanford, sister-in-law Ann (Ingle) Kelley of Chaska, MN, and many extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents Ray Sr. and Esther, brothers, Ray R. Jr. and Philip P. Kelley, sister-in-law Mary K. (Williams) Kelley, son, Scott C. Kelley, and daughter-in-law, Malissa Z. (Hoff) Kelley.
A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 12, Bethany of University Chapel, 201 University Dr. S, Fargo. Memorials can be given to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center or to The Sanford Project (for diabetes research). A family burial will be held at Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, ND, Summer 2017.
