Funeral visitation services are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 2 at the parish center of St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Road, Colorado Springs, for Ed Kelbel, director, Professional Golf Management Program. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 3 at the church.
Kelbel, 52, died unexpectedly March 28 at a local hospital. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Kelbel, program assistant, Department of Sociology, and other family members.
Kelbel joined UCCS as assistant director of the Professional Golf Management Program in 2006 and was promoted to director in 2008.
His obituary, as prepared by family members and published in the Colorado Springs Gazette, follows:
Edward Paul Kelbel Jr.
Edward Paul Kelbel, Jr. age 52 (passed away March 28, 2012)
Ed(ward) was the beloved husband of Rosemary Ann (Breithaupt). Their love filled marriage spanned 28 years. Ed was a loving father to his son Ted, daughter-in law Katie, and daughter Tricia.
He is preceded in death by his father, Edward Paul Kelbel Sr, Harbor Springs MI.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Lou Kelbel, two brothers and three sisters: Mark (Audrey) Kelbel of Colorado Springs and children Remy, Karris, and John; Pete (Linda) Kelbel of Petoskey MI, and children Mackenzie, Peter, and Grace; Julie (David) Leik of Greensboro, NC and children Cassie, Emily, and Chandler; Sue (Todd) Ortlieb of Petoskey, MI and children Cal and Emma; Mollie (Mark) Carter of Harbor Springs, MI and children Jack & Caroline.
Ed recently marked 27 years of membership in the PGA of America. He was employed by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs as the director of Professional Golf Management Program. He truly enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge of golf and the golf business with his students. Prior to moving to Colorado Springs in August of 2006 he had been the General Manager and PGA professional at The Emerald Golf Course in St. Johns, MI. He was instrumental in growing this business for 12 years. He also worked at the Cheboygan Golf and Country Club and Petoskey Bay View Country Club, MI as their golf professional.
Ed graduated from Michigan State University in 1981 and received his master’s degree from Ferris State University in 1986. At MSU Ed was a varsity golf scholarship letter winner. His high school years were spent at Harbor Springs High School where he was instrumental in establishing the Golf team in 1974. He was both State Champion and a United States All American Golfer in 1976. Additionally, he participated in the baseball and basketball teams and is still listed among the top 10 Harbor Springs Basketball scoring list despite playing before the three point line.
There will be memorial events in Colorado Springs and Michigan with visitation planned for Monday, April 2nd at 7PM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Road. Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd at 10AM followed by a luncheon in the Julie Penrose Hall at St. Paul’s. Ed will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs, MI.
A scholarship fund will be set up in Ed’s Memory to honor students in the UCCS Professional Golf Management Program, details to be available through UCCS.
The family encourages masses to be said for the repose of his soul, helping others through random acts of kindness, spreading joy and kindness to those who cross our paths and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds us.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=edward-paul-kelbel&pid=156800266&fhid=6111
May deepest sympathy to Rosemary and The Kelbel Family. When I first started at UCCS, Rosemary and Ed were very hospitable to me. I shall never forget their kindness. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Kelbel Family.