Kelley Blue Book mourns the passing of former publisher Bob Kelley, age 96.
A Career That Spanned Six Decades
Robert Sidney Kelley first worked for the family car dealership at age 15 before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned home to join the family business and helped guide it through decades of change.
His uncle Les had founded the Kelley Kar Company in 1918. As his dealership grew, he circulated lists of the cars he wanted to buy and the prices he would pay for them. That list grew into the original Kelley Blue Book – the auto industry’s primary resource for car values for decades.
Related: Kelley Blue Book History
Bob Kelley took responsibility for appraising and reconditioning hundreds of used cars a month. He pioneered the evaluation methods common across the auto industry today.
Charlie Vogelheim, Kelley’s son-in-law and a former Kelley Blue Book editor, says, “For a time, he was the most knowledgeable used car mind in the post-war United States. He’d drive home at night in the oldest car on the lot just to better understand why it hadn’t sold.”
The Kelley Kar Company originally published its pricing guide for its own use. But the Blue Book’s reputation spread beyond its doors.
The Kelley family sold its dealership in the 1960s and focused its efforts on publishing a pricing guide for the auto industry. Bob Kelley took over as publisher of the Blue Book. It was printed six times yearly and was the first source to evaluate a used car’s value based on mileage.
He led our expansion into the digital era, launching KBB.com in 1995. Kelley retired in 2000.
Remembered By Four Generations
Vogelheim remembers Kelley as “a real affable person. Very, very nice, kind, quick to smile.”
Cox Automotive purchased Kelley Blue Book in 2010.
Kelley Blue Book President Steve Lind says, “Bob Kelley was a true pioneer in the automotive industry. His legacy extends far beyond the pages of Kelley Blue Book. From its humble beginnings to the comprehensive online resource we know today, Bob’s impact has been immeasurable. As we honor Bob’s memory, we also recognize our responsibility to continue building on his legacy. Bob’s passion for informed decision-making will always guide us as we navigate the ever-evolving automotive landscape.”
Kelley is survived by Wanda, his wife of over 50 years; his sister; and his five children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
