Karl Kelley

KARL KELLEY

Cedar Rapids

Karl Kelley, 68, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away suddenly on July 20, 2017, at his home in Ames. A graveside service will be at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 Douglas Ave., Ames.

Karl was born Aug. 16, 1948, to Harry E. and Kathryn L. (Kendall) Kelley in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up in Cedar Rapids and attended First Congregational Church, Kenwood Elementary and Franklin Junior High, graduating in 1966 from Washington High School. Karl was raised by a family of teachers his grandmother, Olive Kendall, had a degree from Iowa State Teachers College, and both parents had master's degrees his father was a biologist. They instilled in him a love of learning, research, problem solving and fact gathering. He went to Iowa State University for his undergraduate studies and received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1970. Karl then pursued a master's degree in computer science at ISU.

Karl started working with ISU in information technology in 1971 and spent 46 years as an expert in operating systems, Linux software and programming. In Karl's time at ISU, he worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of many key information technology initiatives. At the time of his passing, he held the position of senior systems analyst.

Colleagues remember Karl as an intelligent individual with an incredible memory. Karl had the ability to absorb and understand complex computer code, manuals and documentation and apply that knowledge to resolve difficult problems. Karl will be greatly missed at ISU as both a friend and colleague.

His family will remember Karl for his patience, kindness, thoughtfulness, sense of humor, Rubik's Cube puzzle mastery and love of music.

While still in high school, he built an organ from periodic shipments of Heath kits. He played clarinet in the high school band. Karl enjoyed problem solving and figuring out how things worked. He purchased his first car with money earned from summer jobs and worked on it himself when it needed repair. Karl was 14 when his father passed away, and so he often helped his little sister learn he helped her with her first science project (constructing a light board), explained how to solve mathematical problems in different ways and also introduced her to many different types of music. He was especially patient in teaching her how to drive a car with manual transmission.

Karl is survived by his sister, Sue (Sam) Benjamin; niece, Sarah Albers (Brandon); nephew, Matt Albers; great-niece, Zoey Schmidt; and great-nephew, Owen Hirman.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the Iowa State University Foundation.