Daniel Kiely

1932 - 2018

Daniel Howard Kiely
Daniel Howard Kiely, age 86, of Trumbull, formerly of State College, PA, passed away September 28, 2018 at his home. Dr. Kiely was born in Bridgeport, CT to the late Daniel and Katherine Kiely. He graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1950. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1954 and was elected a member of Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Honor Society. He received his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University in 1959 and served as a member of the Engineering faculty at Yale until 1963.
In 1963, he began a distinguished 48-year tenure at Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) as a Research Assistant. In the mid-1970s, Dr. Kiely was appointed head of the Energy Science and Power Systems Division within ARL's Undersea Systems Office, serving in that capacity for nearly thirty years. In 2001, he was appointed ARL' s Chief Scientist and served in this capacity until his retirement in 2011. In addition, he served as interim Associate Director of ARL, in charge of the ARL's Undersea Systems Office, from 2004 to 2009.
Dr. Kiely received numerous awards, commendations and recognitions for his contribution to the science of closed-cycle propulsion systems for underwater vehicles. He was presented the Technical Excellence Award by the Anti­submarine Warfare Committee of the National Security Industrial Association and was acknowledged as "the single most responsible person credited with development of the SCEPS/ADSCEPS Closed Thermal Cycle Torpedo Powerplant..." In 1986, the Secretary of the Navy awarded Dr. Kiely the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest civilian award bestowed by the Navy, "in recognition of his contribution to the research, development, demonstration, and production of the Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System."
He is survived by Ann (Dillon) Kiely, his wife of 55 years; five children: Eileen K. Orscheln, her husband Michael and their children Elizabeth, James, and Emily; Daniel J. Kiely; James D. Kiely, his wife Katherine and their children Daniel, Brendan, Meaghan, Patrick and Kathleen; David P. Mayo- Kiely, his wife Ann and their children Ella, Cormac and Thomas; and Mary Ann Ranalli, her husband Matthew and their children Andrew, Katherine, and Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Cox, Rhea Leahy and Coletta Kiely. Dr. Kiely was a life member of Fayerweather Yacht Club, a member of the Gaelic American Club and a member of the Latin Scholars
Friends are invited to attend his funeral services on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull. Interment in St. Michael's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Fairfield College Preparatory School c/o the Development Office, 1073 North Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824. Arrangements in care of the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence please visit mullinsfh.com.