Longtime Centre County leader dies, remembered as advocate and mentor. ‘A tragic loss’

First responders and leaders across Centre County mourned Friday after the sudden death of Rich Kelley, a longtime advocate for emergency services in the area.

Kelley, of Howard, died shortly after 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Mount Nittany Medical Center. He was surrounded by the people he “worked so closely with for so many years,” Mount Nittany Health wrote in a statement. No cause of death was given for the 56-year-old.

His death touched off an outpouring of grief from friends and colleagues who remembered him as someone who dedicated his life to helping others. His career in emergency services dated back to at least 1986.

“This is a tragic loss, and one that is absolutely heartbreaking,” Mount Nittany Health diagnostic and ancillary services director Charlene Diehl said in a statement. “Rich dedicated his life to keeping people safe, and he worked tirelessly to prepare people to effectively respond to emergencies. Beyond that, he was a wonderful colleague, who was always willing to help others. His kindness and compassion came through in everything he did. There are no words to describe how much we will miss him and the warm smile he brought to work each day.”

Kelley joined the health system as a paramedic in 1991 and worked his way up to EMS manager. His worked contributed significantly to the development and growth of the department and EMS in the region, Mount Nittany said.

“Rich was a dear friend who will be greatly missed,” Emergency Department Manager Adam Hoover said in a statement. “The Emergency Department and EMS worked closely together on a daily basis, and Rich’s dedication and leadership helped all of us improve.”

Through the years, he also served as Centre County coroner, executive director of Bellefonte EMS, assistant manager of Centre LifeLink EMS and was a flight paramedic for Geisinger LifeFlight.

He was the vice president of the Centre County Ambulance Association, as well as a member of the EMS committee of South Central Mountains Regional Task Force, Regional Medical Advisory Committee and the Regional Leadership Committee.

Kelley was also active in the fire service, having served as a volunteer for the Undine, Howard and Logan fire departments. He was a Bellefonte Area High School almunus.

“I’ve known Rich for over 30 years, and he dedicated his life to the care of others. He was one of the most selfless individuals I have ever known,” Mount Nittany Emergency Services Director Kasandra Botti said in a statement. “He was also a natural leader, bringing together all the Emergency Medical Services in the region. We will miss him every day.”

Scores of first responders across central Pennsylvania remembered Kelley in tributes posted Friday on social media, many of which praised him as a leader, mentor, advocate and friend.

Citizens Hook and Ladder of Milesburg described his leadership for fire and EMS services as “unparalleled,” while Spring Township police said “the mark he left through his years of service will live on forever.”

“Centre County is forever changed with this tremendous loss to our community,” the Centre County Crisis Intervention Team posted on Facebook.

Longtime friend and Logan Fire Co. Deputy Chief Chuck Salvanish said Kelley was one of the most respected members of Centre County’s emergency services community.

“He had as much passion as anybody I’ve ever met,” Salvanish said. “He’s been doing it a lot longer than I have and it’s like he never tires.”

Added his wife and Logan Fire Co. Chief Bobbi Salvanish: “I remember Rich when I was just a little kid running around the station. He always had a smile on his face. He was just an all-around good guy. This is a huge loss to the emergency services in Centre County.”

Kelley was also a husband and a father.

“The world is a better place for having had you in it, you helped bring Centre County Emergency Services a long way!” Port Matilda Fire Co. posted on Facebook. “You will be missed greatly!”