Kelly died peacefully at his home in Vergennes in February. He was 93. Kelly’s life and career reflected a deep commitment to education, community, and service, values that shaped not only his professional achievements but also the many lives he touched. From his early years in Erie, Pennsylvania, to his leadership roles in higher education and global development, Kelly never lost sight of his belief in the powers of education and opportunity.
Born and raised in Erie, Kelly graduated from high school in 1950 and began his college career at Pennsylvania State University. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served two years before returning to Penn State to complete his undergraduate degree. He soon began his career in education, teaching high school in Waverly, New York.
Determined to deepen his academic training, Kelly enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Cornell University, moving his young family to Newfield, New York. That pursuit of knowledge, and the sense of purpose that accompanied it, would lead him, in 1969, to Vermont, where he began what would become a long and distinguished tenure at the University of Vermont.
As the first chair of what would become the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, he helped establish a multidisciplinary approach that connected economics, community development, and public engagement, an approach that remains central to the department today. Kelly next served as Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and played a foundational role in shaping many other academic programs that bridged scholarship and practical problem-solving.
Kelly was known not only for his professional leadership but also for his deep personal commitment to students. Many recall him as a generous mentor who made time for conversation, guidance, and support. Together with his wife, Judy Kelly, he fostered a welcoming community in Burlington, frequently opening their home for potluck dinners that brought together students, faculty, and friends. These gatherings, filled with lively conversation and shared meals, reflected Kelly’s belief that learning extended beyond the classroom.
Current CALS Executive Assistant to the Dean, Tina Haskins, recalls this about her former colleague, “Bill was a very generous and likable person. He always took the time to listen when needed. Bill and Judy liked inviting the staff over to their home for lunch during the summer, and this was another way he would show his appreciation.”
That sense of care and connection extended to his international work, a defining aspect of his career. Through academic research and partnerships with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Kelly contributed to the development of rural programs in countries including Nigeria, Honduras, Uganda, and Botswana. His work focused on strengthening local communities, building sustainable agricultural systems, and fostering economic development.
Colleagues described his approach as deeply collaborative and grounded in respect. His quiet demeanor and attentive listening made him an effective partner across cultures, and his efforts helped establish programs that endured long after his direct involvement ended.
Despite his many professional achievements, Kelly remained devoted to life’s simpler pleasures. He was an avid gardener, tending plants with the same patience and care he showed in his work. A skilled woodworker, he crafted furniture and built two dollhouses, but he took particular pride in three handcrafted wooden kayaks. These projects combined precision, artistry, and a love of the outdoors.
Kelly is survived by his three sons, Steven, David, and Eric Kelly; a stepdaughter, Ann Simon; and a stepson, David Saurman. He also leaves three grandchildren, Keith, Coco, and Calvin Kelly, as well as two granddaughters in New Mexico, Katie and Jenna Simon.
His family had many additional ties to UVM: his wife, Judy, who preceded him in death, was a 1975 graduate school alumna, and both of his stepchildren also attended UVM: David, ’85, RSENR, and Ann,’87. CAS.
Those who knew him remember not only his professional accomplishments but also his kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Whether mentoring a student, hosting a gathering, or working alongside partners abroad, William H. Kelly consistently demonstrated a life guided by generosity and purpose.
A legacy of education, service, and quiet leadership endures in the many communities he influenced, here in CALS, in CDAE, across Vermont, and around the world.