Dr. Larry A. Kelsey, 39, of 2628 Iowa Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Friday morning, December 4, 1987, in an automobile accident near Swindon, England. He was on semester leave from U.N.I. and involved in the university's international studies program.
Larry was born on June 21, 1948, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Dan R. and Jean F. Yates Kelsey. He attended the Bettendorf School System and in 1966 graduated from the Sparta High School in Sparta, New Jersey. Larry received his B.A. degree in physics in 1971 from the University of Iowa. While at the University of Iowa, Larry was a graduate and research assistant. He taught physics at the University of Kansas from 1975 until 1976. In 1979 he joined the staff at the University of Northern Iowa and in 1980 received his Ph.D. in science education from the University of Iowa.
On November 17, 1984, he married Anne M. Davidson at St. Stephens Chapel in Cedar Falls. The couple made their home in Cedar Falls and Larry became very involved with different areas of research in photometry of variable stars and was the recipient of five grants and fellowships. Larry was involved with numerous publications including the Waterloo Courier's "Starwatch" column and was also the co-author with Dr. Darrel Hoff, Professor of Earth Science at UNI, of the book "Recent Revolutions in Astronomy," that was published in 1987.
Larry was just promoted to Associate Professor of Astronomy and Science Education in the Department of Earth Science at U.N.I. He was a member of many professional organizations including the American Astronomical Society, Astronomic Society of Pacific, and the National Science Teachers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Anne M. Kelsey of Cedar Falls; his son by a former marriage, Christopher Kelsey of Springfield, Virginia; his parents, Dan R. and Jean F. Kelsey of Bettendorf; two brothers, Steven L. Kelsey and Robert S. Kelsey, both of Bettendorf. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 1987, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Chapel, 2304 College Street, Cedar Falls, with the Reverend Donald Klein officiating. Entombment will be in the mausoleum at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo. Friends may call on Friday, December 11, from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, 204 W. Seerley Boulevard, Cedar Falls, where there will be a Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. There will be a memorial mass on Monday, December 14, 1987, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf. A memorial fund will be established through the U.N.I. Foundation.