Bob Kelley, the former publisher of Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book who came from a family with deep roots in Southern California’s car culture, died May 28 at his home in Indian Wells. He was 96.
Born in Los Angeles in 1927, Kelley joined his family’s dealership, Kelley Kar Company and Kelley Blue Book, after serving in World War II.
The family business got its start in 1918 when Kelley’s uncle, Les Kelley, launched a Los Angeles car dealership with just three Model T Fords. The eponymous car appraisal business launched in 1926 and would become an essential guide for used cars across the United States.
The Los Angeles Times in an obituary of Les Kelley in 1990 wrote that Kelley Blue Book was used by nearly all automotive trade, banks, financial institutions and courts of law in the West when establishing the value of cars.
Kelley’s father Buster Kelley managed the business for many years before Bob Kelley took the helm.
Known for his expertise in appraising, reconditioning and pricing, Kelley would help the dealership sell hundreds of used cars a month.
The dealership was sold in the 1960s, leaving Bob and Kelley Blue Book to grow from its well-known book form into a popular internet resource. Kelley also extended the Blue Book’s coverage to imports, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, mobile homes, and new and classic/collector cars.
His son-in-law and former KBB editor Charlie Vogelheim said it was Kelley who moved the Blue Book in the late 1970s to Irvine.
“Bob was unique in his varied and deep background with used cars,” he said via email Friday, May 31. “He took great pride in taking on the challenge of accurately representing all vehicles in a pocket-sized book. That challenge led him to welcome new technologies (computer then internet) which enabled the opportunity to provide more timely and specific valuations.”
The storied Blue Book, now more commonly known as kbb.com, was sold in 2010 to Cox Automotive’s Autotrader.com for a reported $500 million.
Kelley, a longtime Newport Beach resident, is survived by his wife of over 50 years Wanda, five children, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and his sister.
JWA passenger traffic falls over spring break
Passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport fell nearly 8% during the typial spring break month of April when compared with April 2023.
The airport’s latest report says it served 916,552 passengers, down 7.7% from the April 2023 passenger count of 992,569.
Here are some other details in the monthly report from JWA:
—7,727 commercial aircraft operations: an increase of 0.2%
—380 commuter aircraft operations: down 13.6%
—23,177 total aircraft operations:
—23,177 total aircraft operations: a 7.1% increase
—15,057 general aviation activity was up 11.8% and was 64.9% of all aircraft operations in April.
The top three airlines based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (274,703), American Airlines (166,552) and United Airlines (138,724).
The fertility clinic Kindbody is pivoting from a mobile operation it launched in Orange County last year to an office setting, opening Wednesday, June 5 in Newport Beach. (Photo courtesy of Kindbody)
The fertility clinic Kindbody is pivoting from a mobile operation it launched in Orange County last year to an office setting, opening Wednesday, June 5 in Newport Beach. (Photo courtesy of Kindbody)
The fertility clinic Kindbody is pivoting from a mobile operation it launched in Orange County last year to an office setting, opening Wednesday, June 5 in Newport Beach. (Photo courtesy of Kindbody)
of
Expand
Fertility clinic opening this week in Newport Beach
The fertility clinic Kindbody is shifting from a mobile operation to an office setting, opening Wednesday, June 5 in Newport Beach.
The IVF lab and clinic at 4321 Birch St. is across the street from John Wayne Airport.
Services will include invitro fertilization, egg freezing, LGBTQ+ family planning, fertility and gynecology consults, male fertility, egg donors and donation and more.
Lauren W. Sundheimer, a double board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology, will helm the clinic.
Coastkeeper grant application window opens
Applications are now open for Orange County Coastkeeper’s Beach and Coast Accessibility Program.
The program provides grants of up to $30,000 to tribes, nonprofits and public entities so they can get accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, mats, and other devices added to the beach. Grant proposals also can address accessibility issues affecting communities near coastal lakes, rivers and bays.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 29.
Applicants are encouraged to work with Coastkeeper staff regarding their projects before submitting an application. For more information on how to apply, go to coastkeeper.org/bcap.
On the move
Ed Barrera is the new chief financial officer at Go Rentals in Newport Beach. The car rental company specializes in luxury cars used by customers in private aviation. Barrera has 25 years of experience in providing fiscal, sales, strategic and operational leadership to multinational corporations. Previously, he was president and CFO at Traffic Management Inc. in Long Beach.
Fundraisers
Orangewood Foundation raised $672,152 at its ninth annual Orangewood Challenge and second annual OrangewoodFEST held April 20 at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. The money will go to support Orange County’s foster and community youth. Orangewood’s programs help to provide resources and support to foster youth.
A Dragon Night, the second annual Dragon Kim Foundation fundraiser held May 4 in Irvine, raised $30,000. This year, the nonprofit is supporting 60 community service projects created by 131 teens in California, Arizona and Nevada. Teens get help from mentors and resources, including a grant of up to $5,000 to get their project “activated.”
Appointments
Huntington Beach resident Hemesh Patel was reappointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, where he has served since 2020. Patel is a family physician and obesity medicine specialist for Southern California Permanente Medical Group, where he has worked since 2011. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Patel is a Democrat.
Last week’s news recap
Trader Joe’s is opening a new store in Ladera Ranch, part of a nationwide expansion, adding 24 stores to its roster.
Nakia Rohde, Trader Joe’s public relations manager, said via email Friday, May 31 that there is “no timeline yet. When we establish an opening date, the website will be updated.”
The Ladera Ranch store is going into a former Staples office supply store in the Mercantile East shopping center.
Trader Joe’s recommended shoppers watch the “coming soon” icons posted at each store locationon its website.
Recentlyshuttered 99 Cents Only stores could soon have the discount banner Dollar Tree atop its California storefronts. The company is the winning bidder for 93 stores in California, most of which are in Southern California.
Stores in Orange County include locations in Brea, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach (3), Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin (2).
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos tosgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
