Kelsey, AP broadcast editor, dies at age 76
PHOENIX » Dick Kelsey, a retired Associated Press broadcast editor who was revered as much for his humor as his hardworking nature, has died after a sevenyear battle with cancer. He was 76.
Kelsey died March 31 surrounded by loved ones at his Phoenix home.
The longtime editor never sought attention in the newsroom of AP’S West Regional Desk in Phoenix unless it was to share a funny story or sly observation. From the glint in his eye, it was clear when he was about to toss out a joke or his own funny spin on the day’s news.
A storyteller at heart, Kelsey regaled coworkers with anecdotes of his exploits in AM radio in Buffalo, N.Y., in the 1970s and coverage of decades-old stories. He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of rock ’n’ roll and an uncanny ability to recite an apt lyric from Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan that connected with the dominant news story of the day, said Josh Hoffner, AP news editor for national beats and one of Kelsey’s former managers.
“Dick was a talented journalist, a gleeful storyteller and a terrific all-around person who was absolutely adored by his many colleagues and friends at the AP,” Hoffner said. “He loved nothing more than rolling up his sleeves and going to work on a big breaking story. His presence in the newsroom was legendary, with his infect ious sense of humor, sharp wit and love of puns that never disap(even the bad
pointed ones).”
Kelsey worked primarily in broadcast during his time in Arizona, editing state news summaries sent to radio and TV stations across the Western U.S. Even when the West Regional Desk — which includes a team of Phoenix reporters — was a hectic hub over a major story, he remained calm.
“Dick was a steady presence on the AP’S west region broadcast desk,” said Chris Havlik, an AP video producer and former broadcast supervisor.
J. Richard Kelsey was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and grew up in nearby Lockport. He fell in love with radio and television at a young age. Overcoming a childhood stutter fueled his mission to someday be on the air in whatever medium so people would listen to his voice, said his wife, Sharon.
“That’s all he ever wanted to be,” she said. “How many other people are that lucky to get to do exactly what they wanted to do with their life?”
At Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., Kelsey decided to minor in radio-tv and ended up in a few classes with a young David Letterman. Kelsey would confirm that the former TV host was just as hilarious then.
Upon graduation, he was hired at his hometown radio station, WUSJ. He thrived as a disc jockey, newsman and talk show host. From there, Kelsey went to radio stations in Buffalo and Erie, Pa. By 1980, he moved westward and had broadcast stints in Denver and Austin, Texas.
Kelsey then made the leap into print journalism and spent a few years at the United Press International in Dallas. By the 1990s, he moved to its Denver office and was covering some of the biggest news stories. Among them were 6-yearold Jonbénet Ramsey’s killing and the Oklahoma City bombing trials.
“I think he was quite proud of that — that he was able to juggle all that and get the information, help everybody,” Sharon Kelsey said.
When UPI’S Denver bureau closed, Kelsey took a job as a news director at a radio station and then as a writer and assignment editor at a TV station. In 2005, he landed at the AP as a broadcast editor in Kansas City, Mo.
Kelsey also enjoyed keeping in touch with anyone he mentored — and not just in journalism. He was very proud of being 28 years sober and using his experience when being a sponsor for someone else.
“He helped other people shine,” Sharon Kelsey said. “He was brilliant in his own way. But it was an unassuming way. ... And I think that’s a real quality.”