September 20, 1931 – April 12, 2026
Richard Owen Kelson (Dick), 94, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 12, 2026 in Los Altos, California.
Richard was born to Paul and Mary Helen Kelson and spent his youth in Seattle, Washington. He proudly attended Stanford University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, graduating in 1953. He then served as an Ensign and Lieutenant JG in the US Navy from 1953-1956. Afterwards, he returned to Stanford and received an MBA from the Graduate School of Business in 1958.
He married his college sweetheart, Lynn Borders, on June 16, 1956, and they were inseparable since that day. They lived in Palo Alto until moving their growing family to Los Altos in 1967. Dick dedicated 30 years working at Del Monte Foods Corporation in the Financial Accounting Department for 30 years, retiring in 1986.
He loved to travel, especially Italy. He loved Lake Tahoe – where the family spent many summers, ski weekends, Christmas holidays, and enjoyed many memories. He loved the outdoors and hiking – never taking the same route out and back, and known for his uncanny ability to get lost.
With Lynn as his constant companion, they enjoyed walking trips all over the world — with Stanford Travel/Study, Caspin Journeys, and various friend groups.
Dick was a loving and generous father to four children: Kathryn, Keith (Jane), Carolyn (Dan Hasker) and Bruce (Monique). Grandfather to Kyle, Julia, Suzanne, Jessica, Sianna, Willem, Paul and Bode; Great-grandfather to Ronan, Cormac, Amber, Nora and Elise.
Dick worked hard all of his life to be a fine and generous man, loving husband, father and grandfather. May he Rest in Peace.
