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Portland

April 12, 1947 — Dec. 13, 2022

Kevin Blair Kelty passed peacefully at home in Portland on Dec. 13, 2022, after a short illness. His wife, Molly, and stepdaughter, Jenny, were at his side.

Kevin was born in Lake Oswego to Glandon and Jane Kelty, and is survived by Molly, his wife of 44 years; sister, Laurie Garretson (Bruce); brother, George Kelty (Loretta); stepdaughters, Jenny Alber (Scott) and Amy Kasch (Jill Tobey); stepgrandsons, Ethan and Christopher Dell’Osso; niece, Bailee Kelty; and two nephews, Todd and Sean Garretson.

A Vietnam War veteran, Petty Officer 3rd Class Kelty, an aviation electrician’s mate, served in the Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) “Argonauts,” circumnavigating the globe on the USS America, deploying the A-7 Corsair in combat for the first time (1969-1970). He also served on the USS Constellation (1971-1972), making lifelong friends.

Kevin bought his beloved 1971 Ford Econoline van at the conclusion of his U.S. Navy service, which he meticulously maintained until his death, taking it on surf trips up and down the West Coast.

While attending Portland State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in geology in 1977 and his master’s degree in 1981, he met Molly, a middle school science and math teacher and the love of his life, while painting her house. They married in July 1978.

He spent his professional life working as a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, Diamond Shamrock in Denver, Emcon Associates in San Jose, California, and returned to Portland to work with Soil Solutions as a registered geologist. A significant highlight of his career was being on the team that predicted the eruption of Mount St. Helens and surveying the eruption from a helicopter.

A lifelong cold water Oregon surfer, Kevin was a fixture at the Cove in Seaside and Short Sands and was riding the waves up until a few months before his death. He loved Seaside and maintaining the Kelty Apartments, especially chatting with all the neighbors and residents. Kevin loved to “cruise the ‘Gut’” in downtown Seaside in his fully restored 1957 Ford Del Rio wagon.

After his retirement, it was a rare day to see Kevin in anything but his board shorts, hoodie and Vans, looking like he just got out of the ocean (which was probably the case). He was a devoted husband, incredible surfer, avid reader, downhill and cross-country skiier, hiker, animal lover, goofball and all-around great guy. He will be missed every day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Surfrider Foundation or your local Humane Society.