‘Plant Ops Hall of Fame’ Winner Passes On

Rolland E. “Ron” Kelsey Sr., 71, a 43-year veteran with G.A. Braun Inc. who retired in May 2008 as national account sales VP, passed away on March 18 following heart surgery.

A native of Syracuse, NY, where Braun also is based, Kelsey remained active post-retirement. He served as an adviser to the company and various customers, while also participating in TRSA events. Last September, he attended the association’s Annual Conference in Las Vegas, where he was recognized as a past winner of the UTSA George M. Brown Award and as a member of the UTSA Plant Operations Hall of Fame.

Kelsey was long active on the Plant Ops Committee, and he also spent two years on the UTSA Suppliers Executive Committee. He regularly contributed articles to Industrial Launderer (IL) magazine and presented information on topics, such as programmable wash and extract speeds.

Braun President Joseph B. Gudenburr recalled Kelsey as the consummate team player and industry professional. In a conversation with Kelsey’s wife Joan during his recent hospitalization, Gudenburr learned he continued to pursue his interest in the textile services industry even during his illness by asking medical staff about their matting products and what vendor was providing them.

In Kelsey’s retirement announcement, UniFirst President and CEO Ronald Croatti praised his many career contributions. “Ron Kelsey was much more than just a salesperson to UniFirst,” Croatti said. “He was a true business partner when it came to solving issues. In addition to resolving our equipment-related challenges over the years, he also helped us to put a number of ‘best practices’ in place to better service our customers.”

In addition to Joan, his wife of 27 years, survivors include: a son, Kenneth John Kelsey; daughter, Melissa Elliott; brother Jay Kelsey; step-daughter Terry Hannam; step-son Rick Blanner; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Rolland E. Kelsey Jr., in 2009.