John C. Kelbaugh Jr. ’65

John died Feb. 2, 2022, in Mount Pleasant, S.C. 

John was born Dec. 9, 1942, in Hattiesburg, Miss., son of the late John Calvin Kelbaugh ’35 and Marguerite Travis Kelbaugh. At Princeton he majored in economics and rowed crew. A member of Quadrangle Club, he roomed with Bill Miller and Rod McAlpin. 

John spent three years as a naval officer aboard a destroyer off the coast of Vietnam. He then attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an MBA. He went on to have a successful career in several states in the boating industry, ending up in Charleston as V.P. of financial operations for Sea Fox Boats. He was a serious cyclist, riding more than 100,000 miles in his lifetime; including the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, a 102-mile, all-day ascent. 

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy; son David; two grandchildren; and siblings Doug Kelbaugh ’67 *72 and Molly Druck. All told there are some 13 Princeton grads by blood or marriage in the extended Kelbaugh family.