With Great Sadness

[Outrider27]

R.I.P. George. Prayers for family and friends.

 

[kra961]

My Heart felt Condolences to the Kelbly Family.

 

[High Noon]

I met George in the early 80’s at Reeds Run rifle range in Augusta, Ohio. The little range held heavy varmint and unlimited NBRSA match’s for decades. Even though it was a small range, it had a rich history of bench shooting. I’ll never forget my first day I didn’t really know anyone and was loading at a table getting ready for my very first bench rest match and the screen door slowly opened the rusty old spring creaking as a big guy came through the door. He was carrying a beautiful laminated cherry unlimited rifle and two cleaning rods. The cleaning rods slipped out of his hands and skidded across the floor. I got up to retrieve them and realized it was George Kelbly. I had read about him and then the second guy came through the door and it was Ralph Stolle! I just stood there holding George’s cleaning rods and stared at these two legends of the benchrest world! These two were rock stars in my world! You could have heard a pin drop in that old clubhouse. In the years to follow I got to know George, Ralph, Stan, Ron and Sal and many other others. it was a great time to be a benchrest shooter. It seemed everyone was shooting something different and trying new things. It may have been the best time. I’ve never lost my appreciation and respect for George, Ralph and many others who contributed so much to the accuracy and benchrest community! Thinking of the Kelbly family through this time.

Todd

Todd A. Kindler
Founder of The Woodchuck Den Inc. & Small Caliber News Magazine

 

[joe139]

That's a great picture Todd.
R.I.P. George

 

[Avelon308]

The shooting community lost a great man today, his commitment to short range Benchrest is immeasurable. My Condolences to the Kelbly family.

George E. Kelbly Sr. Obituary - The Daily Record

George E. Kelbly Sr., age 87 of North Lawrence, Ohio, passed away May 14, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. George was born...

www.the-daily-record.com

...a real loss. He'll truly be missed.

 

[rebs]

Prayers for the family and friends. May the Lord comfort them.
RIP