Raymond B. Kelsey


1899 - 1986
Lt Col USAF WWI & WWII & Korea

Dr. Kelsey, who served in the Army in WW I, was on the Building Committee of the Manning Legion Hall and was the manager of the Legion Drum and Bugle Corps.
In May of 1941 he was called into service and for the next five years served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps; he was sent to Europe with the 133rd Evacuation Hospital.
He was again called back into service in 1948. For the next twelve years he served in various parts of the United States and in Okinawa during the Korean War.
Dr. Kelsey retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force in July 1959.

Raymond was Commander of the American Legion in Manning from 1937 - 1938.

RAYMOND B. KELSEY, D. D. S.
Taken from Manning Centennial Book

Dr. Raymond B. Kelsey of Belle Plaine, Iowa, opened a dental practice in Manning in June, 1924, after graduating from the University of Iowa. In 1926 he married Florence M. Meyers, daughter of Henry W. Meyers. One son, Donn, was born of this marriage.

Dr. Kelsey, who served in the Army in WW I, was on the Building Committee of the Legion Hall and was the manager of the Legion Drum & Bugle Corps. In May of 1941 he was called into service and for the next five years served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps; he was sent to Europe with the 133rd Evacuation Hospital. He returned to Manning at the end of the war and resumed his practice. He was elected Mayor of Manning for one term, in the year 1946-47, and was again called back into service in 1948. For the next 12 years he served in various parts of the United States and in Okinawa during the Korean War. Dr. Kelsey retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force in July, 1959.

His son, Donn Kelsey, received a degree in Business Administration at Sacramento State College and he too went in the U.S. Air Force. While there he received a Masters degree in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University. In 1974, after serving in medical facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia during both the Koren and Vietnam Wars, Donn also retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel.

All Kelseys now live in California, but both are still members of Emil Ewoldt Post No. 22 of the American Legion.

Manning Monitor April 17, 1941 Dr. R. B. Kelsey Receives Call Dr. R. B. Kelsey, Reserve Officer in the medical department of the U. S. Army, received his call to report to Fort Crook at Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Kelsey will leave Manning, Monday for Omaha where he will take this final physical examinations. Providing he passes his exams he will be transferred immediately to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Dr. Kelsey has a rating of First Lieutenant and will serve as an officer for one year unless foreign complications develop and become serious. Manning Monitor article------ 1943 U. S. Army Signal Corps Photo OH MOM, GET ME OUTA HERE! But Mom can be assured that son, T/5th Peter E. Leeth of New York City is receiving expert dental treatment somewhere in Tennessee during the Second Army summer maneuvers. Captain R. B. Kelsey of Manning is executing the extraction in a Mobile Dental Unit. Manning Monitor article------ 1944 F. J. McMahon received a card from Capt. R. B. Kelsey this morning from England on which he was on leave in London and visiting the areas where the Blitz Bombing had taken its toll. Manning Monitor article------ 1945 R. B. Kelsey Back From 4 1/2 Years As Army Dentist Will Resume Dental Practice In Manning Monday After wearing army togs slightly more than 4 1/2 years, Dr. R. B. Kelsey, on terminal leave, announced his plans to resume his dental practice Monday, Dec. 17. Dr. Kelsey stated his discharge becomes final Jan. 29, 1946. Entering service as a lieutenant and coming home a captain, Dr. Kelsey served in numerous camp in the states before sailing for England, thence to France and later Germany, where he was connect with the 133rd evacuation hospital. His duties included service with general and station hospitals and he can relate some interesting experiences regarding his military career. Many times equipment had to be improvised to care for patients injured in fighting. At one time, while stationed in a general hospital in England, Dr. Kelsey said they had 200 fractured jaw cases and each ore required singular care. The experience gained has been beneficial, he said, and he is happy to be home to resume his practice in offices over the municipal light plant office.

Raymond Bruce Kelsey, DDS, former resident of Manning, passed away February 2, 1986, in Folsom, California.

Dr. Raymond Bruce Kelsey was born May 19, 1899, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was raised in Belle Plaine, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1923. Following graduation he moved to Manning where he married Florence Meyers in 1926. He practiced dentistry in Manning until called to active duty with the U.S. Army in 1941.

He served in European Theater and returned to Manning following the war and continued dental practice during a 3-year break in service. He served as mayor of Manning from 1946 to 1948 and returned to the Army in 1948. The following year he switched to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate service. He served in Okinawa during the Korean War.

Raymond retired from the Air Force in 1959 in the rank of Lt. Colonel, living first in Oregon, and for the past 20 years in California. He continued his long affiliation with Manning by continuing membership with the Manning Masonic Lodge and Emil Ewoldt Post 22 of the American Legion.

In addition, he belonged to the American Association of Retired Persons, SIRS (Sons in Retirement Shrine), Retired Officers Association, and was the Commander of Veterans of World War 1 of the U.S.A., Inc. Barracks #550CA.

Dr. Raymond Kelsey is survived by his wife, Florence (Meyers); by one son, Donn; by two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many good friends.

The family requests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.