Our friend and BWI colleague, Dave Kelley, died suddenly Thursday, December 28, after collapsing while running near his home in Austin, Texas. He was 43 years old.

Dave was one of the most recognized writers (both by personality and talent) in the industry, always striving to break free of convention and embrace his subject matter with passion, skepticism and humor. It was an approach he employed in both his writing and his life.

Irish to the core, Dave was born in Shamrock, Texas, on St. Patrick's Day in 1963. He started his writing career while still a journalism student at the University of Texas, where he was first published in The Daily Texan. It was several years before Dave became a professional journalist, as an editor at Personal Watercraft Illustrated. In 1995, Dave became a freelancer, landing regular writing and senior editorial positions with marine industry publications such as Boating World, Boating Life and Voyaging. He was a seven-time winner of BWI writing awards for his work, including a legendary story on boating under the influence. Dave also published a book on boating, Living and Working Onboard. Dave?s many other interests led to an expansion of his writing career on subjects such beer, golf, travel and even astronomy. To read some of Dave?s literary contributions, check out www.davekelley.org. Dave moved into television journalism in 2002, when his Street Beat automotive and boating reviews became a popular segment on FOX-7 News in Austin and FOX-2 in Detroit, Michigan.

Dave and wife, Carey, shared their love of discovery and adventure through music, food, good beer, and art, as well as travels ranging from their beloved Hill Country and West Texas, to Big Sur, Vancouver Island, and South Africa.

Dave was a man of unequalled talent with a tremendous capacity for caring for others. He was one of a kind, with an easygoing personality and provocative wit. He is survived by his wife, Carey Elder Kelley of Austin, Texas; his parents, David and Becky Kelley of North Richland Hills, Texas; his sister, Laura Darby, also of North Richland Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lone Star Catahoula Rescue, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization run by Dave's wife, Carey. You can make a donation directly from the homepage (www.lonestarcatahoularescue.org) with a credit card. As Dave pointed out, "it racks up a hell of a lot of karma points."

Perhaps the word that Dave used to close all of his e-mails and letters is appropriate here...Onward.

Editor?s Note: Steve Rosenberg is the publisher of Boating World magazine.