Dave Kelley

Dave was born on St. Patrick's Day, 1963. He began his writing career while a student at The University of Texas Austin, where he was first published in The Daily Texan. After receiving his B.S. in Journalism, he spent several years in Austin doing everything from running an independent record label to marketing wakeboards before assuming the role of editor at Personal Watercraft Illustrated magazine in 1991, his first role as a professional journalist.

In 1995, Dave switched to freelance, securing writing and senior editorial positions with a wide range of publications, including Boating World. He was a seven-time winner of Boating Writers International writing awards for his work at Boating World. Dave's work as a marine journalist led to the writing and publication of his book, Living & Working Onboard, in 2003. A writer of wide-ranging interests and ability, he also wrote extensively about recreational astronomy, beer, golf, and travel. Much of his writing is available online at www.davekelleyonline.com.

In April, 2002, Dave's career expanded to television journalism. He became the on-air automotive expert for FOX-7 News in Austin, where his Street Beat automotive and boating reviews proved popular -- so popular, in fact, that the segment was picked up the following year by FOX-2 in Detroit.

Dave was a proud member of the Austin Huns Rugby Football Club, where he was known by the nickname "Sano." He joined the Huns in the late 1980s and was an active player until 1998, when an injury led him to retire from rugby.

Dave married his soul mate, Carey Elder Kelley, in 1998. The Kelleys shared their love of discovery and adventure through music, food, good beer, and art, as well as travels ranging from their beloved Hill Country and West Texas, to Big Sur, Vancouver Island, and South Africa.

Dave passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2006, while running on his beloved Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail in Austin. His loss is deeply felt by the staff at Boating World.

If you're interested in making a donation in memory of Dave, you can do so at the website for Lone Star Catahoula Rescue (http://www.lonestarcatahoularescue.org/), a non-profit, all-volunteer animal rescue organization run by Carey. As Dave would note, "It racks up a hell of a lot of karma points."