Kelly Thomas Redmond

Jan. 5, 1952

Nov. 3, 2016

Kelly Thomas Redmond, age 64, of Reno, Nevada passed away peacefully at home in the presence of friends and family on November 3, 2016 after a lengthy illness.

Kelly will be greatly missed by his brothers, family, friends, and colleagues.

The outpouring of condolences and support nationally and internationally has been a tremendous comfort to the family and coworkers and attests to a life that truly made a tangible difference in the world.

Kelly was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on January 5, 1952 and in 1957 moved west to Miles City, Montana with his two young parents and two of his brothers. The next year the new family moved again briefly to Bozeman, Montana and soon thereafter to Belgrade, Montana where he was raised and graduated with very high honors from high school.

Kelly was always an active person both academically and in the outdoors. He was a talented trumpet player with a hunger for science and knowledge. He built his own telescope and ground the mirrors by hand early in high school and subsequently spent many cold nights looking at the stars and helping his younger brothers up the step ladder to peer through the eyepiece.

He was deeply loved by his family and was an inspiration for his four younger brothers. Kelly was an unparalleled hiker and spent his childhood rambling the mountains of Montana and the west while his dad and brothers ran to keep up.

He was an accomplished photographer. He developed childhood friends that remained true to the end, a testament to the importance he placed on relationships with friends and family.

Kelly attended MIT on a full ride scholarship in physics and then went on to attain an M.S. and Ph.D. in Meteorology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kelly moved westward after graduation to become the State Climatologist for the State of Oregon and in 1989 moved to Reno, Nevada to become an Associate Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute. In 2007 he became a full Research Professor at DRI. He was the Regional Climatologist for the Western United States and the Deputy Director of the WRCC from 1992 until the day he passed.

He had many professional affiliations including Sigma Xi; the American Meteorological Society; the American Association of State Climatologists (with a stint as president) and was awarded the Helmut Landsberg Award.

He was also a member of the American Geophysical Union where he was awarded the prestigious Tyndal Lecture Award. He was also a member of the National Weather Association. Kelly authored countless research papers, and was on numerous boards and panels including many National Academy of Sciences Review Panels. He taught meteorology and climatology at both Oregon State University and the University of Nevada-Reno. The accolades and praise from colleagues and the general public are considerable. He had the unique ability to discuss climate with both professional researchers and the layperson with equal enthusiasm and could strike up a lively conversation with a cowboy in Ringling, Montana or a cabinet member of the United States. His resume would make a small novel. He leaves a huge hole in the lives of his family who will do their best to honor his legacy.

Kelly is survived by four brothers; Scott of Belgrade, Montana; Cary (Cindy) of Beaverton, Oregon; Patrick (Michele) of Belgrade, Montana and Mike of Beaverton, Oregon. He leaves behind three nieces; Sami (Jeremy) Unrau of Beaverton, Oregon; Devin of Beaverton, Oregon; and Mackenzie of Bend, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence "Coy" Redmond and Joyce A. Redmond of Belgrade, Montana

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Truckee Meadows Community College, 7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, Nevada in Sierra Building Room 108 on January 13, 2017, time to be announced by the Desert Research Institute.

An informal gathering for friends and family will also be held in Belgrade, Montana at a time and date to be determined in late June.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.waltonfuneralhomes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Nov. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Kelly Redmond

Sponsored by Walton's Funerals & Cremations - Sierra Chapel.

5 Entries

Roger Stocker

January 6, 2017

Kelly was my first boss starting my career as a meteorologist. I worked for him as an assistant at Oregon State University as an hourly climatology assistant back in 1983. We were a tight little family of three at that time and he was always encouraging to me and a gentle soul who always had a kind word for all. My prayers and condolences to the family as he was a man who took pride in communicating equally well with both his professional community and the public at large. Please take comfort in knowing that he had a great impact to many during his stay on this earth.

Davis Family

November 18, 2016

Our sincere sympathy to the Redmond family. We pray that in the midst of your sorrow you find comfort in all the joyful memories shared and will always cherish these beautiful memories of Kelly. Romans 15:13

LDW

November 17, 2016

My sincerest condolences to the Redmond family. May you find much comfort by leaning on our Heavenly Father who promises to "comfort us" during this difficult time (Matt. 5:4)

Tanja Fransen

November 14, 2016

I met Kelly at an AMS conference years ago. As soon as he heard I worked in Glasgow, MT, he started pulling out the stories. He always had a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye. It's obvious he enjoyed people, and getting to make new aquaintances. My condolences to you all!

Ed Jensen

November 13, 2016

Scott, Cary, Patrick and Mike; Know that my prayers and thoughts are with you all. Kelly was a wonderful classmate and friend. He was so accomplished and most intelligent person I knew. I know your loss is great, memories will kept him ever so close.

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