[citation needed] Kelly graduated from Cornell University in 1951, where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger society.

Afterwards, Kelly obtained his MS degree from Columbia University and Ph.D. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

While attending, Kelly was remembered by his genial nature, impish smile, playing the trumpet, and his ability to "ace" all his tests.

Even with all of his brilliance, he not once showed arrogance and was still a very likeable and popular child at what is now called Camp Avenue school in North Merrick.

During this time he worked his summers at Grumman, eventually earning himself a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a Reserve Officers' Training Corps commission in 1951.

Kelly later earned a master's degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

In 1956, Kelly was called into active duty and was stationed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

For a short time, Kelly worked at Lockheed Corporation on their missile and space division.

The Lunar Module is among the most significant accomplishments of Kelly's career, as it is still the only spacecraft that humans have used to land on another celestial body.