College Mourns Loss of Staff Member

Middlebury is mourning the loss of Kelly Boe, the manager of the College’s biomass heating plant, who died in a bicycling accident on April 14. Boe was a much-beloved member of the staff and active in the greater Middlebury community. A Mass of Christian Burial for Kelly Boe will be celebrated on Monday, April 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury, with the Rev. William Beaudin as the celebrant.

Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Patrick Norton sent the following in an email to the campus community on Wendesday, April 15.

Dear Colleagues,

I am terribly saddened to report that our friend and colleague Kelly Boe was killed yesterday evening in a cycling accident in Weybridge. Kelly and his wife, Kathy, were riding when Kelly was struck by a vehicle.

Our hearts are broken by this news and know you join me in extending our condolences to the Boe family.

Kelly joined Middlebury in 2009 as a heating plant operator and became manager of the central biomass heating plant in 2013. His colleagues recall his quick wit and positive outlook on life. “I never saw him upset or with a frown on his face,” recalls Mike Moser, director of facilities services, who was instrumental in encouraging Kelly to join the College staff.

Once at Middlebury, Kelly was a key force in helping us exceed our performance expectations for the biomass plant, and was a passionate advocate for our alternative energy initiatives. “All the things we’re most proud of about that facility, Kelly and the staff made that happen,” said Moser. “He’ll be missed in so many ways.”

Kelly also was giving of his time in the community. He had served on the board of directors of the Addison Country chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the local United Way.

Kelly received his BS from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1981. From 1981 – 1997 he worked for International Paper Co. Before joining Middlebury, he also worked at Danforth Pewter and KE Durasol.

In addition to his wife, Kathy, Kelly is survived by two children: Sara, 19, a student at McGill University in Montreal, and Andi, 15, a freshman at Middlebury Union High School. Kelly was an adoring father and passionate fan of his daughters’ sports teams.

This is a very difficult time for all of us and, in particular, for Kelly’s colleagues in Facilities Services. We encourage you to make use of the support offered by the College and wider community.

We will provide information about a service when it is available.

Sincerely,

Patrick