Jay Robert Kelchner

Jay Robert “Bob” Kelchner,
82, of Watkins Glen NY, passed away June 4, 2018. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen on Friday (June 8th) at 11:00am, followed by burial with military honors at Highland Cemetery. Known to his family and friends as Bob, he is survived by his wife Bettylou Pearsall of Watkins Glen, NY; children, Alan Kelchner (Howard Mullinack) of Emeryville, CA, Andy Kelchner (Tom Grissinger) of Oakland, CA, Ann (Bert) Singerhoff of Horseheads, NY and Paula Lipe of Kermit TX. He is also survived by his sister Patricia S. Miller of Denver, CO and his grandchildren and extended family members. He was pre-deceased by first wife, Susan Jones Kelchner. Born and raised in Palmyra, PA, the son of Albert and Esther Kelchner. Bob served in the US Air Force 1954-1958, earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology 1961 and later completed graduate study in Adult Education and Organizational Behavior at Cornell University. He worked for Eastman Kodak Co. (Rochester), Pall Trinity Micro Corp. (Cortland), Hilliard Corp (Elmira), and Cornell University (Ithaca). He was a certified manufacturing engineer and holder of four US patents. Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Watkins Glen, 50-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQA), singing with the Checkered Flag Four Quartet and the Mark Twain Chorus, and member of the Southern Tier Sports Car Club and the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). Some of Bob’s favorite hobbies included attending antique auctions with his wife, as he was an avid collector of antique toy vehicles. He was also a volunteer Race Control Worker at Watkins Glen International. Donations may be made to the Southern Tier Food Bank, The Arc of Schuyler, or the International Motor Racing Research Center. Envelopes with addresses will be provided at the church. You may express condolences to the family online, or “Light A Candle of Remembrance” at www.RoyceChedzoy.com. Arrangements by Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen.